Your Khatan Has Come
The bride belongs to the bridegroom.
– John 3:29
The people reverently enter the sanctuary carrying boxes of bows and candles in preparation for the traditional greening of the church. As the men and women go about their work softly singing carols under their breath, a hushed sense of worship and adoration fills the air. In their hearts they are already welcoming the “coming†of the newborn King, the Khatan, (Hebrew for “He who joins Himselfâ€) our Bridegroom. Before long, pine boughs gracefully drape the windows sills and altar ushering in this most glorious season of Advent. In the coming weeks there will be the usual festivities and exchanging of gifts, but the most treasured gift of all will be the retelling of the birth of Christ.
Yes; Long ago in a real place and time in history a real baby was born. One can only imagine how young Mary must have felt as she pondered her future and that of her precious Christ-child. Her pensive thoughts are beautifully captured in the lyrics of the achingly intimate song, “Breath of Heaven†known today as “Mary’s Song.â€
I have traveled many moonless nights
Cold and weary with a babe inside
And I wonder what I’ve done
Holy Father you have come
And chosen me now
To carry your son
I am waiting in a silent prayer
I am frightened by the load I bear
In a world as cold as stone
Must I walk this path alone
Be with me now
Be with me now
Breath of heaven
Hold me together
Be forever near me
Breath of heaven
Breath of heaven
Lighten my darkness
Pour over me your holiness
For you are holy
Breath of heaven
Do you wonder as you watch my face
If a wiser one should have had my place
But I offer all I am
For the mercy of your plan
Help me be strong
Help me be
Help me
(lyrics by Chris Eaton)
Young Mary seems to sense that her son is the long-awaited Khatan, (“He Who Joins Himselfâ€) the world’s Bridegroom. Think of it! The God of the universe took on flesh and blood so that we might know Him and His boundless love for us. Who can understand this mystery of love that called for our Khatanto go to the Cross to take on our sins? In this most selfless, unfathomable of all sacrifices, He bound Himself to all that we have been and are regardless of how dark our brokenness. In doing so, He signified that nothing would ever separate us from His love.
Truly, God is our Khatan who joined Himself to us completely and forever. As we celebrate our coming King, remember the words of the prophet who said:
For your Maker is your husband—the Lord Almighty is his name—the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth
(Isaiah 54:5). Joy has, indeed, come to the world. May you choose to accept the coming of your Bridegroom this most holy season.
As this is my final blog, I want to say what a privilege it has been to share my thoughts and stories about what it means to be in relationship with our loving “Khatan.†My prayer for you this Christmas season is that you will offer Himall that you are and ever hope to be.
— Francine Thomas