Introduction : The Longing for Redemption
Dear brothers
and sisters in Christ,
Advent is a season of expectation and hope, a time to prepare our hearts for the coming of our Savior. Today, we turn to the first pages of Scripture, where we encounter the beginning of God’s plan to redeem humanity. In Genesis 3:15, often called the Protoevangelium or “First Gospel,” we find both judgment and salvation, a promise that reaches its fulfillment in Jesus Christ.
The Tragedy of
the Fall
In the Garden
of Eden, we witness humanity's first sin—a choice to listen to the voice of the
serpent rather than the voice of God. Adam and Eve, who once walked with God in
perfect harmony, now hide in fear and shame.
In verse 9, we
read: “But the LORD God called to the man, 'Where are you?” The Hebrew word for
“called” (qara, קָרָא) signifies an invitation
rather than an interrogation. The question “Where are you?” (ayyekah, אַיֶּכָּה) is profoundly
existential. God is not seeking Adam’s physical location but inviting him to
acknowledge his spiritual and moral state.
God, in His
mercy, is seeking reconciliation, to re-establish a broken relationship. Today,
God addresses the same question to each of us: “Where am I on this second week
of Advent?” Are we hiding, ashamed of our sins, afraid of being fully seen
by God? Advent invites us to step out of the shadows and return to the God who
never stops seeking us.
Adam and Eve’s
Response
In verses 10–13, Adam admits his fear and nakedness, revealing his shame and alienation from God. The Hebrew word for naked ('erom, עֵרוֹם) contrasts with the innocence described in Genesis 2:25, where Adam and Eve were unashamed in their nakedness. Now, both shift blame, Adam blames Eve, and Eve blames the serpent. This reveals the fracturing of relationships, not only with God but also with each other and creation.
Since that
tragic moment, human relationships continue to suffer, blame, distrust, and
power struggles abound. Yet even amid this brokenness, God’s voice calls out,
offering a path to healing.
The Promise in
the Curse
In verse 14,
the serpent (Satan’s instrument) is cursed above all creatures. Its crawling
and dust-eating symbolize humiliation and subjugation. In verse 15, God
announces a pivotal promise:
“I will put
enmity between you and the woman, between your offspring and hers. He will
strike at your head while you strike at his heel.”
The Hebrew word
for “enmity” ('ebah, אֵיבָה) conveys intense
hostility, a cosmic struggle between good and evil, between God’s purposes and
the devil’s rebellion. In Ephesians 6:12 St. Paul says: “For we are not
fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and
authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and
against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”
Verse 15 of
Genesis 3 points directly to Jesus Christ, born of the Virgin Mary, who
triumphs over sin and death through His cross and resurrection. The serpent
strikes at His heel, a foretelling of Christ’s suffering on the cross, but the
Redeemer crushes the serpent’s head, securing victory for us.
Advent reminds
us that the cradle in Bethlehem leads to the cross at Calvary, and through the
cross, to the empty tomb.
A Call to Hope
and Trust
Adam names his
wife Eve, meaning “the mother of all the living,” expressing hope even amid sin
and brokenness. God’s plans for humanity are always for restoration, not
destruction.
In Christian
theology, Mary, the mother of Jesus, is seen as the “woman” whose offspring
defeats the serpent. Mary’s unique role as the bearer of the Redeemer
underscores her cooperation in God’s plan. The Church Fathers also saw this “woman”
as a collective image of God’s people, first Israel, then the Church, called to
bring forth Christ into the world.
This Advent, we
too are called to embrace hope. The world often feels like a garden overrun by
the serpent's lies, ideologies, violence, division, and despair. But the
promise of Genesis 3:15 assures us that the serpent’s power is not the final
word. In Christ, we find life, light, and victory.
Our Role in the
Redemption Story
The enmity
between the serpent and the woman continues in our lives. Each of us is called
to reject sin and stand firm in Christ. This means saying no to the serpent’s
voice, the subtle temptations that draw us away from God, and saying “yes” to
grace, to the voice of the Holy Spirit, following the examples of Jesus and
Mary.
Mary, the new
Eve, models this for us. Her “yes” to God opened the way for the Savior’s
coming. As St. Paul reminds us in Ephesians 1:3-12, we were chosen before the
foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before Him.
How is God
calling you to say “yes” this Advent? Perhaps it is through forgiving someone
who has hurt you, reaching out to someone in need, saying no to double live, or
deepening your prayer life. Like Mary, let us open our hearts to God’s will,
trusting that His plans are always for our good.
Conclusion:
Awaiting the Full Victory
As we light the
candles of the Advent wreath, let us remember that we live in the light of
Christ’s victory, even as we await its full realization. The promise of Genesis
3:15 was fulfilled in Christ’s first coming and will be completed in His
glorious return.
In this season
of waiting, may we renew our hope, strengthen our faith, and prepare our hearts
to welcome the Savior who comes to make all things new. Let us walk together in
the footsteps of Mary, bearing Christ within us, and sharing in the triumph of His
redemption.
Amen.
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