1st December 2019

It's Advent...going to attempt daily blogging again. I led the 8am service today, proud of my congregation battling through the frosty Flixton plains. My very brief homily was based upon Isaiah 2.1-5 Romans 13.11-end and Matthew 24.36-44

So we find ourselves at the beginning of another church year as Advent begins. Out in our communities we see trees and twinkling lights going up, we hear familiar carols and see the idealised Christmas adverts, but inside the church we hear readings which are contemplating death, judgement, heaven and hell. It’s quite a paradox as to most folk Advent is just a type of calendar, for most people it’s Christmas now. The presents and feasting on Christmas day are the culmination of the celebrations, not their beginning. 

I preached my first sermon on this day 6 years ago, on these readings, so I had a little look back to see if much had changed in those 6 years. The theme of my sermon was anticipation and we heard a lot of things being anticipated in our readings.

The anticipation of the coming of the Kingdom, and a time of unprecedented peace from Isaiah, Paul’s advice to put on the armour of light and the anticipation of salvation, finally we hear Jesus advising the apostles to be ever watchful, to continually anticipate his returning at a time when it will least be expected.

I spoke about anticipation which leads to anxiety or disappointment, particularly as we try to plan that John Lewis advert style perfect Christmas, especially for anyone struggling with debt, illness or loneliness.

I guess the main way I’ve changed in those 6 years is being ok with advent being two different things; that it’s a time for celebrations AND time for prayerful reflection. That’s amazing for us- we get the best of both! We don’t just get to anticipate what I hope for each of us will be a joyful Christmas, we also get to anticipate what that means for us as Christians, what Christmas means as people of Christ. The Advent focus upon the end of all things may make for uncomfortable hearing in between the twinkling lights and tinsel but that’s part of who we are and part of what it means to live our lives as people of Advent Hope. 

The season of Advent draws us in to contemplate the mystery and wonder of the Incarnation, of a God who loves us so much God chose to live our lives and die our death but also to reflect upon how our entire lives as Christians are an Advent, as we live in that place of Hope and Anticipation, urging us to live lives true to the values of Jesus’ teaching, in the knowledge that one day we’ll be at his side.