The!! Advent!!Mix!!!!!!!

Transcription

1 The Advent Mix

2 THEADVENTMIX WhenwereadthroughthelectionaryreadingsforAdvent,it isimpossibletodiscernasingletheme.varietyofthemesis thestuffofadvent.thereisabasictensionbetweenthe traditionalthemeofjudgementandthecontemporarydesire toprepareforchristmas.allaroundusthesecularmessage is Christmasiscoming.Inthechurchthereisoftenpressure forcarolservicestorunthroughoutadventandnativityplays totakecentrestageasadventreachesitsclimax.onlywhen weturntothelectionaryreadingsarewecompelledto explorethevariousbiblicalthemeswhichmakeadventa penitentialseason,atimeoftruepreparation,forthegreat festivalthatischristmas.

3 FIRSTSUNDAY TheOldTestamentreading(Isaiah64:1J9)beginswithanangryGod andanabsentgod.theprophetpleadswithgodtocome,toreveal himself,tosortthingsouthereonearth.thegospelreading(mark 13: 24J37) takes us to the end of time when Christ will return in powerasthegreatjudge.itendswithacalltoustobeawake,tobe alert,tobepreparedforhiscoming. TowardstheendoftheIsaiahpassage(Isaiah64:8)thereisapicture ofagentlergod.heisdescribedas ourfather and ourpotter. WefindthismoreinkeepingwiththemessageofChristmas the birthofababyatbethlehem.aswepreparetocelebratechristmas, wemustrememberthatgodcameasthebabyjesusbecausehewas angry with us: he came to reconcile a disobedient and estranged worldtohimself.heactedinthiswayout of love: love and anger oftenbelongtogether. Thinkofthewaysinwhichasindividualsandasthechurchcontinue tomakegodangryandstretchhislovetothelimit.

4 SECONDSUNDAY TheOldTestamentreading(Isaiah40:1J11)bringsmuchmoreofthe Christmasspirit,forthesearetheopeningwordsofHandel soratorio Messiah.ThepromiseisthatthegloryofGodwillberevealed,but not as many expected. A mighty God will come as a devoted shepherd(isaiah40:11). Alongsidethis,theGospelreading(Mark1:1J8)introducesJohnthe Baptist.Heisastrangeman,preachinginthewilderness.Hecalls thepeopletorepent,tochangetheirways,andoffersbaptisminthe Jordanasasignofthisrepentance.Atthesametimeheheraldsthe coming of a much more important figure, setting the scene for the arrivalofjesus. AswepreparetocelebratethebirthofJesus,wearepreparingforthe birthofababyinwhomweseethegloryofgod.jesusistheloving God,thelifeJgivingGod,thejudgingGod,thesavingGod.Wesee thefullnessofgodinthepersonofjesus. Think of the ways in which we often separate Jesus from God in heaven. How do we need to change our understanding of Jesus to encompassthefullnessofgod,thegloryofgod?

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6 THIRDSUNDAY The theme of the Old Testament reading (Isaiah 61: 1J4, 8J11) is justicefortheoppressed.herewehaveamessageofhopeforthose who are often regarded as the least important in society. This message is an implicit judgement on the powerful, who have used theirpowerfortheirownends,attheexpenseofthepowerless. The Gospel reading (John 1: 6J8, 19J28) focuses again on John the Baptist.InthispassagethePhariseesaskJohnwhoheis.Theyare seeking answers which give him some authority for his preaching. Johndeflectsthesequestionsbypointingtotheonewhosecoming heheralds Jesus. These readings remind us of the authority of Jesus. This authority will be used to affirm the poor and the marginalised, and also to judgetherichandpowerful. Think of the ways in which our lifestyles exploit the poorest in the world.whatcanwedoatchristmas,andatothertimes,tomakea realdifferencetoallwhofeelmarginalisedinourcommunity,inour country,andinotherpartsoftheworld?

7 FOURTHSUNDAY The Old Testament reading moves away from Isaiah to an earlier time, the time of King David (2 Samuel 7: 1J11, 16).In this passage Nathan the prophet is told that building a temple is not to be the priorityforkingdavid.davidisthekingwhosedynastywilllastfor ever. TheGospelreading(Luke1:26J38)bringsusclosetoChristmaswith theangel smessagetomary.maryistheonechosenbygodtobe themotherofjesus,whowillbeadescendantofkingdavidandwill reignforever.thisstrangemessageremindsusthatthebabytobe borninbethlehemtoanordinarywomanistobekingofkings one whose status is above all earthly powers, one whose kingdom will havenoend. Think about our preparations for Christmas. How important is the birth of Jesus in our festivities? What does it mean to welcome the King of kings? How can we take the message of Christmas forward intotheordinarydaysandmonthsthatlieahead?howcanwerelate themessageofchristmastotheordinaryworldwithallitssocialand politicalissues?

8 ReflectionsthroughAdvent2014 TextpreparedbyGordonJamieson, onbehalfofacts. ImagesbyRichardCross,usedwithpermission ActionofChurchesTogetherinScotland RegisteredinScotlandasacharity(no.SC000295)andasacompanylimitedbyguarantee (no.sc348236).