Advent 1 – The Season of Waiting

Today begins the Christian season of Advent; its origins in the fourth century draws its name from the Latin term “adventus,” which translates to “coming” or “arrival.” Initially, Advent was a season of fasting and penance, similar to the Lenten season. Early Christians dedicated this period to preparing their hearts and minds to celebrate the birth of Jesus through prayer and confession. Today, Advent is more a time of preparation and expectation of the coming of the Lord through His birth in Bethlehem.

In earlier times, Advent focused on self-reflection, repentance, and spiritual preparation. It served as a time for believers to reflect on the significance of Christ’s incarnation and anticipate his coming into the world, not only at his birth but the hopeful expectation of his promised return or second coming.

Advent spans four weeks by many denominations, including Catholic, Protestant, and Anglican churches, beginning on the fourth Sunday before Christmas. Each of the four Sundays of Advent has specific rites, readings, colors, and meanings of the candles in the Advent wreaths.

Over time, the observance of Advent underwent an evolution; the somber and penitential aspects gave way to a more joyful anticipation of Christ’s birth. The focus shifted from strict fasting and repentance to embracing a spirit of hope, expectation, and joyful waiting for the coming of the Messiah.

We see in the stories of ancient Israel and in the writings of the prophets a world very much like our own, a world of people rebelling against God and finding themselves lost in darkness again and again. The prophets also show how God had a plan for his people, Israel, and the world, extending beyond the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem.

In Advent, we recall the ancient prophecies and signs that led to the birth of the Messiah, and we look forward in hope with faithful anticipation that the same Messiah, Jesus Christ, will come again as he promised.

Beyond its symbolic traditions and religious observances, Advent beckons Christians to engage in acts of charity, kindness, and generosity. This sacred season urges individuals to actively embody the core values of love and compassion actively, reaching out to others in meaningful ways.

Encouragement toward charitable events inspires Christians to participate in various service projects that benefit the less fortunate. These activities range from organizing food and clothing drives to volunteering at shelters or participating in community outreach programs.

Donations to those in need are an integral part of Advent observance. Whether it involves contributing resources, time, or skills, giving becomes a tangible expression of empathy and solidarity with those in need. Churches and charitable organizations often mobilize efforts to support marginalized groups, underscoring the importance of extending a helping hand during this season of goodwill.

While preparing for the Advent season, I came across this poem by Father Daniel Berrigan, which contradicts the negative thoughts of the world today. 

It is not true that creation and the human family are doomed to destruction and loss. In John 3:16, we are promised

For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life

It is not true that we must accept inhumanity and discrimination, hunger and poverty, death and destruction. Again, in John 10:10, we hear:

I have come that they may have life, and that abundantly.)

It is not true that violence and hatred should have the last word and that war and destruction rule forever. The prophet Isaiah foretold:

Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder, his name shall be called wonderful councilor, mighty God, the Everlasting, the Prince of peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

It is not true that we are simply victims of the powers of evil who seek to rule the world. Matthew 28:18 tells us

To me is given authority in heaven and on earth, and lo I am with you, even until the end of the world.

It is not true that we have to wait for those who are specially gifted, who are the prophets of the Church before we can be peacemakers. The prophet Joel 2:28 reminds us

I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall have dreams.

It is not true that our hopes for the liberation of humankind, justice, human dignity, and peace are not meant for this earth and history. John 4:23 gives us hope:

The hour comes, and it is now, that the true worshipers shall worship God in spirit and truth.

So let us enter Advent in hope, even hope against hope. Let us see visions of love, peace, and justice. Let us affirm with humility, joy, faith, and courage:

Jesus Christ is the life of the world.

Let us be patient and wait. Wait for the coming of the baby Jesus.

Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. (James 5:7-8)

Let us pray:

God of Advent waiting, You do not grow tired or weary, but we do. Your understanding is unfathomable, but ours is very limited. So guide us with your wisdom and revive us with your power. We enter into this sacred season of Advent resting within your arms. Let us appreciate the light and the shadows of the season. Renew our strength and grant us your peace.

Amen.

(starts 2:53-13:08)

Delivered at Ohio Living Westminster Thurber Tower and Westminster Terrace, Columbus, OH;
3 December 2023

Anticipation

Matthew 24:36-44

Today is the first Sunday of the Advent season for Christendom. The word Advent means “coming” or “arrival.” Jesus is coming – his arrival is just around the corner – and that is what we focus on during the Advent season.

The Advent season is four Sundays long, so we have the four Advent candles – we light each candle as we progress through the Advent season until we reach Christmas when we celebrate Jesus’ first arrival as a baby in Bethlehem. We light candles on the Advent wreath, sing Advent hymns, wait, and prepare.

The first purple candle in the Advent wreath is known as the ‘prophet’s candle’ and represents the hope of the arrival of the Baby Jesus as told by the Prophet Isaiah. The second purple candle represents faith – faith that Jesus will be born. The third candle is rose-colored, expressing joy: this Sunday is called Gaudete Sunday, which symbolizes the nearness of Christ’s coming. The fourth purple candle represents peace and reminds us of the importance of peace as the Prince of Peace is coming.

Advent is a four-week season designed to deflate the bumper sticker that says, “tomorrow has been canceled due to lack of interest.” Advent seeks to take us back to simpler times when we were not so frantic.

We celebrate how Jesus comes to us in three ways: the first coming at His birth more than 2020 years ago and re-enact the birth in pageants and carols.

We celebrate his coming amongst us now through the Word and Eucharist. We observe how Jesus comes among us in one another, in the least of our brothers and sisters.

We celebrate Jesus’ Second coming when he will come again, bringing in a time of peace and joy that we heard in the reading from Isaiah today.

The end is coming, and of that, we can be sure.

But when?

Martin Luther is supposed to have said that if he knew the end of the world was coming tomorrow, he would plant an apple tree this afternoon. Luther did not speculate on when the end times were. He focused instead on the purpose of the world, what God intends for the present time. What may happen in the future does not excuse us from doing what God requires of us here and now.

If we know the end is near, the temptation is to hole up in a bomb shelter or armed fortress in the mountains and wait. We would create a fortress mentality of ‘us against them.’ Instead, we are to live with that uncertainty. Uncertainty of what will happen but with a certainty that Jesus is always with us.

When we stop trying to figure out when the Second Coming is, we have the energy to listen to what God calls us to do today. Advent preparation is about removing the noise from our lives so that we can hear and see the coming of Jesus among us today. In Matthew 25, those condemned say to Jesus,

“If we had only known that it was you in the poor and the hungry, of course, we would have fed you!”  (Matthew 25:37-39)

Jesus comes to us today in the least of our sisters and brothers. We will not be prepared if we ignore and demean the least of these today in our eagerness to welcome Jesus.

We are to live in constant readiness. If this were your last day on earth, how would you spend it? Paul tells us not to neglect to be together. We prepare each time we come together for the promises and the hopes that will carry us through difficult times.

Are you preparing for this day?

Or are you procrastinating?

A procrastinator is someone who’s not ready. Someone who says,

“Eventually, I’ll get my act together. But not right now. I have too much going on.”

Is our world ready for Jesus’ Second Coming?

A fable is told about three apprentice devils talking with Satan about their plans to destroy humanity. The first apprentice suggested they would succeed if they told people that there was no God. Satan rejected that suggestion because he realized that most people know there is a God and would not be convinced otherwise. The second apprentice suggested they could succeed by telling people there is no hell. But Satan rejected that idea because too many people knew there was a hell. Then the third apprentice devil spoke up: “Let’s destroy all humanity by telling them there is no hurry!” The fable concludes that Satan loved that suggestion because he knew that people would procrastinate getting ready and be destroyed.

Many Christians today don’t believe that Jesus will come during their lifetime. But in these verses, Jesus tells us to live as though he will come tomorrow. A Christian must always be preparing, always watchful, and ready for the moment He comes. That doesn’t mean that we stop doing the things we do. Those religious cults telling people to quit their jobs and sit up on a mountain and wait for the end of the world are misleading people. That’s not what Jesus means when he says

“to prepare, to be ready.”

What about you? We struggle with this, too, don’t we? “I will grow in my spiritual life,” we say, “but I will grow later. I will pray but figure out how to do that later. I will live like a child of God later in my life. I have plenty of time. It’s OK for me now to not grow, pray, or live like my unbelieving friends”.

There is a false theology that uses these verses

Then two will be in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken, and one will be left. (Matthew 24:40-41)

False prophets use these phrases to justify the exclusion of some people at the Second Coming.

Many people embrace the ‘left behind’ prophecy, believing that the Bible supports this. There have been over 200 prophecies of the rapture at the end of the world. Prophet Harold Camping last predicted the end of the world in 1994; then changed it to May 21, 2011, and then changed it to October 21, 2011. In March 2012, he finally admitted he had been wrong. A devotee of Camping continued the prophecy, saying October 7, 2015, would be the end of the world. Many people lost their houses, jobs, and money following this man’s predictions.

There are many reasons this ‘end time’ theology is false and destructive:

1.  Rapture teaching is new. Rapture teaching originated in the 1800s with John Nelson Darby, a Plymouth Brethren preacher. He, in turn, influenced Cyrus Scofield, who edited an infamous, early study Bible named after himself. It spread across the Atlantic through folks like Dwight L. Moody and institutions like Dallas Theological Seminary. Later popularizations included Hal Lindsey’s Late Great Planet Earth and the best-selling novels-ever-written-for-adults-at-a-third-grade-reading-level, known as the Left Behind series. Until the 19th century, there was no mass of Christians anywhere who taught that Jesus would return to a select group and give those chosen jetpacks to heaven while the ‘left behinds’ and the world went to hell.

2.  The rapture is exclusively Protestant and almost exclusively American. Catholics and Orthodox don’t remotely take these prophecies seriously, and certainly not the rapture. Add to that what NT Wright and others have pointed out –only Americans care about rapture teaching.

3.  The rapture requires a two-stage return of Jesus. The return of Jesus and “day of the Lord” traditions in the Bible are always singular events. Passages like,

“Watch ye, therefore, for you know not when the master approaches” (Mark 13:35)

This never suggests a multi-stage return. The Nicene Creed, the most authoritative of the ancient summaries of Christian doctrine, says simply of Jesus,

“He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.”

He does not return, take a few with him, and return later. He comes in glory to judge all and establish his Kingdom.

4. The rapture is not remotely biblical. Not even remotely. The main passages used to defend a teaching of the rapture, Matthew 24 and 1 Thessalonians 4, can only do so if taken out of context and misinterpreted. In Matthew 24, the language about

“one being left behind”

is a reference to Noah and the flood – that one should want to be “left behind” as Noah and his family were. In 1 Thessalonians 4, the word translated as “caught up” (harpazo in Greek) appears elsewhere in the New Testament. It speaks to the dead in Christ rising first, a fact most versions of the rapture overlook entirely.

5.  The logic of the rapture is Gnostic, not Christian. Fleeing an imperfect and decaying physical world for the purity and joy of a spiritual realm sounds much like Gnosticism. Gnostics believed that secret knowledge was revealed to them (“gnosis” means “knowledge). Everything physical was evil and corrupt, while the spirit was pure and noble. Many heretical forms of ancient Christianity were gnostic and gnostic-influenced. The church rejects these pseudo-Christianities.

Fredrick Dale Bruner points out that in Jesus’ example of the end, the “rapture” does not take special people to unique places. In Matthew 24:40-41, people are at their ordinary work in the fields and on the threshing floor. This fact honors our secular vocations and Christians being faithful to them. So, seriously taking the Lord’s coming does not mean taking this world or our work any less seriously.

A kind of world-hating sentiment can come with all the end-time frenzy. Many years ago, Jerry Falwell, Sr., reflected on this kind of end-times fatalism when a TV commentator asked him if he was concerned about the environment. He said, in effect, that he was not worried about the environment because Jesus was coming back, so we had better use it before losing it. There is something strange about eagerly looking for God to destroy creation because we’re going to heaven anyway.

God sent his Son to this world because He loves the creation. The goal of Christ’s saving death and resurrection is not to destroy God’s creation but to renew it. When the Lord returned, Luther was asked what he would like to do. “Planting peach trees” was his biblically correct response.

May the Advent season be a joyful, hopeful time for us—when we recommit ourselves to being watchful Christians. We rejoice now that Jesus came on Christmas, but we also look forward to rejoicing when Jesus comes unexpectantly on Judgment Day. We pray:

O Lord, give me the heart of Noah, a heart that is watchful and ready for the day you come.

To be ready, we must live every day with this overwhelming expectation of Christ’s coming.

Being ready is not constantly scanning the sky, jumping out of your skin with every loud noise, or trying to penetrate the mysteries of the book of Revelation. It’s living in faithfulness and love every day; it’s nurturing ourselves and our children in the faith; it’s loving and helping our neighbor in need. It’s using our skills and talents not for ourselves and our enrichment but for God and his Kingdom; it’s sharing the gospel.

Let us pray:

Creator of us all, we want to be prepared and waiting when you come. Please quicken our heart with your Spirit so that we can be alert and ready. Use us to help prepare others with the same eagerness and excitement we have. May we, the Church of this generation, be ready; may we be found faithful and righteous when Jesus comes. Amen.

             Delivered at Saint John’s Episcopal Church, Columbus, OH; November 27, 2022

Advent Candlelighting Liturgy

As the season of Advent approaches, I am re-posting an Advent Candlelighting liturgy. . .

Blessed Advent!
 
 
Advent Candlelighting Liturgy

First Sunday in Advent

Leader: Lord our God, we praise you for your Son, Jesus Christ. He is Emmanuel, the hope of all peoples; he is the wisdom that teaches and guides us; he is the Saviour of every nation. O God, let your blessing come upon our community gathered here before you.

Bless us and our advent wreath. (+)

May the light that shines forth from these candles illumine our way as we journey towards Christmas; may the light that shines forth from them illumine our lives as we wait in hope for the birth of the Christ-child. We ask this through Christ who is the Light of the World. Amen.

As our nights grow longer and our days grow short, we look on these earthly signs–light and green branches– and remember God’s promise to our world: Christ, our Light and our Hope, will come.

Listen to the words of Isaiah the prophet:

Scripture:

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness — on them light has shined… For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:2, 6)

Reader: Today we look with anticipation to the coming of an Anointed One, a Messiah, as foretold through Old Testament history. As God’s people were abused by power hungry kings, led astray by false prophets, there were some who prayed for God to raise up a new king who could show them how to be God’s people.

People: Today we give thanks for those among us who bring us surprising new visions of hope, who challenge us to think outside the box, who show us a future we could never anticipate.

Candlelighter: On this first Sunday of Advent, we light this Hope Candle as a symbol of the hope and anticipation of the birth of the Christ Child.

(Light a purple candle.)

Prayer: O God, rejoicing, we remember the promise of your Son. As the light from this candle, may the blessing of Christ come upon us, brightening our way and guiding us by his truth. May Christ our Savior bring life into the darkness of our world, and to us, as we wait for his coming. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen
 
 
Second Sunday in Advent

Scripture:

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned (John 3:16-18).

Reader: Today we remember that God gave us His only Son, to live among us as a human, suffering as we do. And He loved us so much that he sacrificed His Son so that we may all have eternal life.

People: Today we thank you for your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, who is the light of the world. We who have sat in darkness have seen a great light, the light of Jesus Christ, our salvation.

Candlelighter: On this second Sunday in Advent, we light the Love Candle as a symbol of God’s love that sent his Son to live among us and die for our salvation.
(Light two blue candles.)

Prayer: O God, rejoicing, we remember the promise of your Son. As the light from this candle, may the blessing of Christ come upon us, brightening our way and guiding us by his truth. May Christ our Savior bring life into the darkness of our world, and to us, as we wait for his coming. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen
 
 
Third Sunday in Advent

Scripture:

And Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name’ (Luke 1:46-49)

Reader: Today we look with joy to Mary and the Savior that grows in her womb. Mary sang boldly when she might have been meek; she carries the beginning of a mighty revolution as the proud are brought down and the lowly lifted up.

People: Today we give thanks for the Marys among us, who step out of the roles society has planned; unintended pioneers determined to do as God asks; fearless and fearfully stepping out in faith, and beckoning us to do the same.

Candlelighter: On this third Sunday of Advent, we light this Joy Candle as a symbol of Mary, mother of God, bearer of the Way, and in joy of the anticipated birth of the Christ Child.

(Light two purple candles and one pink candle.)

Prayer: O God, rejoicing, we remember the promise of your Son. As the light from this candle, may the blessing of Christ come upon us, brightening our way and guiding us by his truth. May Christ our Savior bring life into the darkness of our world, and to us, as we wait for his coming. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen
 
 
Fourth Sunday in Advent

Scripture:

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. (Isaiah 9:6-7)

Reader: Today we remember Joseph, worn-out traveler and worried husband, doing what was necessary for the sake of his family, the burden of poverty stifling his hope in the promise of God. There was no room for him, yet he knows to whom he belongs.

People: Today we give thanks for your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, who is the Prince of Peace. We who live in discord and strife have found peace in the promise of eternal life, through Jesus Christ. Amen..

Candlelighter: On this fourth Sunday of Advent, we light the Peace Candle as a symbol of the Prince of Peace and God’s eternal kingdom.

(Light all candles on wreath.)

Prayer: O God, rejoicing, we remember the promise of your Son. As the light from this candle, may the blessing of Christ come upon us, brightening our way and guiding us by his truth. May Christ our Savior bring life into the darkness of our world, and to us, as we wait for his coming. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen
 
 
Christmas Day
(Insert white candle in center of wreath)

Scripture:

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” Then the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. (Luke 2:1-20)

Reader: As we light these candles today, we thank God for hope he gives us, for the peace he bestows, for the joy he pours into our hearts, and for the love that redeems us and shows us the way

People: Today we thank God for his gift of Jesus. We thank him that through Christ his light has come into the world and made it possible for us to see, and in seeing, to rejoice. His truth, his love, his very self, transforms all who receive him

Candlelighter: On this Christmas Day, Loving God, Emmanuel, we thank you for being with us -for sending your Son to walk with us and to lead us. Grant that the hope, the peace, the joy, and the love of which we have heard and spoken of throughout Advent may be fully realized in us as we worship and serve you through Christ Jesus our Lord, this both now, and in the new year that comes this night, and forevermore. Amen.

(Light all candles on wreath and Christ candle.)