How Dagon Tried to Steal Christmas

Advent presents a war of waiting. The Scriptures put the false gods of the ancient world against Yahweh to show that waiting on false gods will ultimately crush your longing.

Christmas is only a few days away. But we must savor the closing days of Advent and consider the various Advental themes preparing us for the resounding joy to come. The explicit war-like themes in the Old Testament Scriptures are among those various motifs. Advent is a war of waiting. Some wait on chariots and horses, but the Christian waits on the Lord our God.

The unconventional advents are the most astounding, in my estimation. The Old Testament presents a battle between those who wait on Yahweh and those who wait on false gods. These narratives raise the question: “Which God remains when the world is falling apart?” or, “Which divinity comes to aid their people in time of need?”

An Unconventional Advent

In I Samuel, we see the unveiling of this great dispute. In those days, God called Samuel to serve him. The Israelites camped on Ebenezer, the inspiration for those lovely words in the hymn: "Here, I raise my Ebenezer…" God has become a "stone of help” for Israel, an Ebenezer. He is Israel's strength and consolation. This fortress caused the Israelites to believe God was on their side, no matter what. Who could fight against a stone of help? What could conquer a mighty pillar?