The house over the way from us on Holy Island put lights up outside yesterday and a tree today. Last night, the community gathered to sing carols and the official lights were switched on. I’ve just read a post on Facebook that described yesterday, December 1st, as the first day of Christmas.
My congregations will tell you I don’t like to hear the C word too early! I know some churches have had nativity services today. Advent, which began today, is a separate season and it is only partly about preparing for - note - preparing for - Christmas!
The service we went to here this morning did not mention Christmas at all. No tree was up in church, nor apart from the Advent candles, were there any decorations. We were reminded of the three Advents we are challenged to think about in these weeks ahead:
• How God came on earth as a child in Jesus.
• How Jesus comes today through how we live.
• How Jesus will come again in glory.
The priest this morning described the Gospel for today as a “shocker”! No babies in mangers or lights or parties but judgement and destruction and the world shaking.
“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”
It’s not often you hear a bit of gloom in church! What’s all this mean as we begin Advent?
Perhaps two things:
First, we need to be watchful. The promise is he is coming again. Surely this is about not being complacent and weary as God’s people. We can’t do things as we’ve always done them if they are tired now. We need to rediscover some excitement about what we profess we believe. Sometimes we act as though God doesn’t do anything any more. It’s easy to miss the signs of divine activity. These can be small and quiet so easy to miss. We need to be brave enough to try and make a difference. That’s how Christ comes today. But we also need a sense of urgency again. What if the second coming really did come tomorrow? What if we were found sleeping? Or involved in carousing and drunkenness?
The priest reminded us in his sermon about Cuthbert who retreated to this island away from the diocese to practice contemplative prayer and try to read the times and what the heck God might be doing. The world around us is full of unanswered questions. All we can do is listen for direction.
Second, there’s a bit in this passage which I find really hard at the moment. My heart is not “to be weighed with the anxieties of life.” That’s so difficult! I got very very upset this afternoon as I wanted to walk to the beach by Cuthbert’s isle. I managed it but I really suffered for it. I’m not finding this waiting to be better very easy. Someone tells me “of course you won’t be back to work in January” as we haven’t had all the tests yet so we don’t know the damage to my lungs or any treatment. That’s really hard.
But on the beach as it was getting dark I met a lovely Methodist deacon who was getting some head space here today. We shared our stories and he helpfully suggested that while I’m going through a tough time, maybe God has led us to this place we love as a gift. Maybe to rest in the present might bring healing. And maybe through conversations and through care and through gazing on the wonder of the nature around me, Christ is come. And maybe I just name the bigger stuff I worry about and let God deal with it in his time. I doubt Brexit will be sorted by the paruosia anyway!
I read a quote some years ago which said “ life is one very long Advent and it’s often not very pretty.” I take comfort that’s how God came in Bethlehem long ago, to mess, I take comfort that parts of the church and recently for me many outside of it, bring an assurance in time of pain they walk in hope with us, and I take comfort that God will one day have the last word.
So today, a challenge to be alert, to be watchful and to be faithful and name the things I simply don’t get to God. And speaking of things I don’t get, someone chose this hymn to end the service this morning, a challenge as there were only 15 in the church and I think only one person knew it. Have you ever sung this hymn????!
Sleepers, wake! the watch cry pealeth,
While slumber deep each eyelid sealeth:
Awake, Jerusalem, awake!
Midnight’s solemn hour is tolling,
And seraph-notes are onward rolling;
They call on us our part to take.
Come forth, ye virgins wise:
The Bridegroom comes, arise!
Alleluia! Each lamp be bright with ready light
To grace the marriage feast tonight.
Zion hears the voice that singeth
With sudden joy her glad heart springeth,
At once she wakes, she stands arrayed:
Her light is come, her star ascending,
Lo, girt with truth, with mercy blending,
Her Bridegroom there, so long delayed.
All hail! God’s glorious Son,
All hail! our joy and crown,
Alleluia! The joyful call we answer all,
And follow to the bridal hall.
Praise to Him who goes before us!
Let men and angels join in chorus,
Let harp and cymbal add their sound.
Twelve the gates, a pearl each portal:
We haste to join the choir immortal
Within the Holy City’s bound.
Ear ne’er heard aught like this,
Nor heart conceived such bliss.
Alleluia! We raise the song, we swell the throng,
To praise Thee ages all along.
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