Making the heart bolder

Readings for the First week of Advent beginning Sunday November 29 2009: Jer 33:14-16; Psalm 25:1-10; 1 Thess 3:9-13; Luke 21:25-38 (the 3 year cycle begins Year C this week, reading through Luke's Gospel as the year goes on) Advent is heavy on themes.

Chief amongst these is preparation for Christmas.

Week by week we mark this passage (slow for children, but astonishingly fast for adults) with the lighting of candles on an Advent wreath.

It rather ticks the weeks off. Though if we pay attention it is not just about getting through the season; we are led carefully into the mystery of the life God has in store for us

the hope God has for you and me

and for the world

and the sense of promise that is caught up in human life.

We 'intuit' a lot of this at Christmas time any way.

With a strong sense of expectation at the great celebration,

we need to also look for something more substantial than a day of fun and feasting.

Advent tries to encourage us to go a little deeper

so try and take time in this season to absorb something of the ethos.

Some pointers

The prophets point us to a sense of political fulfilment.

For the people of Israel it was about peace and stability.

These things do not come without cost and without work,

there is not the suggestion that some how God will come

and wave a magic wand and all will be made well.

There is always a sense that if we are to enjoy peace then God's people are to lead the way

so when we hear Jeremiah say:

The Lord will raise up a righteous branch who shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.

We can also ask ourselves what this calls us to do

how do we, the righteous branch, grafted into Christ

work for justice and righteousness here in Australia (or where ever we find ourselves to be).

We are often very passive when it comes to politics

but where do we feel there is more need for justice where can we strive for peace and stability.

This is of course part of the motivation of churches in trying to to help support families and individuals in need

This is about fulfilling our Advent call.

for justice and righteousness

for peace and community

and not just sitting on the sidelines expecting something to happen.

Rocket science?

In a way this is not rocket science.

Jesus reminds us with the exampleof the trees changing

and growing that there is

a continuous cycle of growth, expectation, and fulfillment

and his reminder is that we should

‘Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.’

We should take the opportunity that we are given.

It is a recurring theme of his teaching

Be watchful and take the opportunity

So some Advent questions are:

Am I in touch with what God is promising me?

Can I speak to God about what I hope for at this time in my life?

Is there some thing that I am called to do in this season which furthers God's cause of justice, peace and righteousness?

What do I need to do to put that into action, or if I can't easily latch on to this idea can I ask God for some direction. The time is short...but the time is enough

Knowing Jesus

Some of the Readings for Sunday 10th December, the Second Sunday of Advent: Malachi 3:1-4; Philippians 1:1-11; Luke 3:1-6

Some things always surprise us, even if we are well prepared.
Birth is one and death is another
Of the rich themes that this season of Advent gives us
Preparation is one of the key ideas.
No doubt many of us are caught up in some rigorous preparations
for Christmas, for family visits, for present giving.
In Australia we also need to prepare for holidays,
and for those of us who are going away that is soon enough
My Messenger
In each and every life there are people who bring meaning and understanding to our life.
For Christians, Jesus is that person,
but because we also recognise that the life of Christ is shared amongst God's people
I also realise that there are many others who bring meaning and understanding to my life.
Who is "my messenger"?
You can probably think of one or two easily.
But I also want to encourage you to think closer to home.
If we think carefully we can see that parents are called to be messengers to their children.
It is part of our role to help shape meaning and understanding.
We are not called to indoctrinate or to bully children into narrow undersatndings
rather we are called to encourage them to be open and expansive.
Responsive to God's call to be full and whole people.
So too, we might say, husbands and wives are not just the incidental partners of people
rather we are the messengers of God's love for our spouses.
This is a high view of relationships.
Who is "My messenger"? and To whom am I called to be a "Messenger"?
We often don't think of it like this.
But it gives a dignity and importance to our relationships which reminds us that God unfolds for us in our daily lives
so we expect that we will encounter God
through the most obvious messengers
and we also need to be aware that we are the messengers for some people.
This, perhaps should fill us with foreboding.
At the very least it might cause us to stop and reflect
about how well we might do this.
Who is God's messenger for me?
This week.
And what are they saying?
Who am I the messenger for?
And what message do I give?
I give thanks for you
I am always struck as we read the start of Paul's letters
(as we read the beginning of Philippians this week)
That, despite his at times stern approach, he always begins rather well.
In this letter for example we read

I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you

If it says nothing else it says that there is much to be thankful for and we should search for that as we seek to convey God's message.
As we look at this daunting task of being a Messenger for God
for our children, grandchildren, husbands and wives and friends
take Paul's advice ands look for ways to be thankful.
We don't always feel like this, but it is an important insight.
It is gleaned (of course) from the way we want to be viewed by God ourselves.
Should we do any less?
This week take opportunity to give the message of thanks.
Look for a way to be a thankful messenger.
Prepare the way
Finally let us remember that this is not just all trying to get people to look at the world through rose coloured glasses
We are preparing people to meet Jesus.
We have small opportunities. Often rich and important.
The words we speak of love and affection
of forgiveness and hope
often take root where we do not see or suspect.
As we were reminded last week
whether or not people hear
is partly related to whether or not
we bother to say anything.
Don't lament the fact that people don't know Jesus
if we The Jesus people don't tell them

Advent work
This is Advent work!
It may seem harder than it really is
but there are three things that we are asked to do:

1. Who is my messenger? And what is God saying to me through that person?
2. Who am I a messenger for? And what am I saying to them? Can I at least "give thanks" for those who God has given to me?
3. Can I, in this Jesus-rich season, also take the opportunity to point Jesus out to those who are looking?

He is there (of course) in the manger. But he walks along with us in our life. Can we help our loved ones to see him and know him better at this holy time.