As a progressive, I believe there are many names for God and many ways to God. This article reflects one of those ways. Take from here what works for you. Celebrate life with joy and peace!
In the Jewish faith tradition, Hanukkah has been celebrated. In the Christian tradition Advent is here. Advent is part of the church calendar called the Liturgical Calendar. And in the Liturgical calendar – the church New Year starts off with Advent – the preparation and anticipation (Advent wreaths and Advent calendars) of the birth of Christ. So, it would be appropriate to wish you a Happy New Year!
Advent is the four Sundays before Christmas – each one given a name – the Sunday of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. Advent is a season where the past and the future collide in the present; it’s a time of already here (as in Christ did come and is here) and not yet (Christ will come again).
Our theme for Advent this year is Hope is On the Way! Who doesn’t need a good dose of hope? In the midst of the busyness of the season let’s keep our focus that in the Christian tradition, Jesus is the reason for the season. We talk about the Good News of God’s inclusive love to all people a lot around here; and isn’t Jesus’ teachings and life one of help, hope and wholeness? So hang on, hope is on the way!
The lesson from our scripture reading on this first Sunday of Advent is a big one – keep awake, for we don’t know what day the Lord is coming. Be ready, for the coming will be at an unexpected hour. Be prepared. How good are you at managing surprises?
Matthew 3:1-11 is saying, you never know. You just never know.
Noah’s crowd never knew about the flood until it happened; and we never know about God flooding our lives until we are swept away into God’s love, into the arms of a loving embrace.
Then Matthew goes on talking about two in the field, one taken and one left; two women grinding grain, one taken and one left. Taken where? Left where?
I don’t want to get into eschatology – there are so many different beliefs and flavors about the end times and the fulfillment of prophecy.
Maybe today we can think about it this way: Taken into the comfort of a living, loving, responsive relationship with God; and left with the relationship still intact because what can separate us from the love of God? Nothing! But with it never being fully developed, matured, enjoyed.
So Matthew says “be ready;” so that whenever God comes, you are ready. So, what does it mean to be ready? I like what Jane Wolfe says about this, “Being prepared means being open for the experience of God.” I love that! Being ready for the experience of God to come into your life.
It means keeping a few cracks in our defensive armor that we all wear just to survive in this world, so that God can sneak in and touch us. They don’t have to be big cracks, little cracks where God can come in. Just little places nobody knows about but you and God. It’s private, not so public.
It’s not about standing on the street corner and saying your prayers out loud to draw attention to yourself as Jesus talked about when he was describing the Pharisees. It’s about living an authentic life, having a daily discipline of some sort of spiritual practice or habit. Reading a devotional; giving prayers of thanks; meditation; worship; and being involved in a faith community making a difference in the world through your spiritual vitality, intellectual integrity, justice and ecology. Whatever it is be authentic. Be yourself. Your relationship with God is intimate and very personal. There is no one right way to do it. There are many ways.
So Matthew is saying, be prepared to let God in. Don’t try to cover up and plaster the little cracks where you may feel defenseless. Let God see those areas where you’re afraid, and vulnerable. Let God give you peace and strength and hope and joy.
Leave the little cracks and allow God in so that you can stop being afraid. Let God love you. You don’t have to love God back at first; just get loved on and receive healing in your heart and for your circumstance.
Some of you might say, “I haven’t let God in for so long, I wouldn’t know what to do. I’m starved for God’s love.” It might be overwhelming; but God isn’t going to overwhelm you in a negative way. Like feeding a baby sparrow; if an eyedropper is all you can take at first, that’s all you’ll get. But it will grow from there, so be prepared!
Allow the cracks. Allow God’s love in, which will come sometime. Knowing there’s no way of being certain when that will be, so be ready.
In this Advent season there is hope! As we celebrate the Advent of the birth of Jesus – Emmanuel – God with us, there is hope! Let’s open our hearts, if only a little crack, to the amazing love of God for each of us! This is Good News! Amen.
Rev. Dan Koeshall is the senior pastor at The Metropolitan Community Church (The Met), 2633 Denver Street, San Diego, California, themetchurch.org. Services every Sunday at 9 and 11 a.m.
