Advent Twenty Four - Joy

 

Living to reflect God's glory, by Petrina Kent
Credit: petrinakent.com

“Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us— to show mercy to our ancestors and to remember his holy covenant, the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. Luke 1: 68 to 75

Zechariah knew the whole story.  How did he know it? It was given to him though an amazing experience.  Wonderful incredible experiences fill us with joy.  These are things that just unfold.  They can not really be constructed or manufactured.  Jesus is born into our world as a part of the amazing story which has a beginning, middle and end.  In the end, all the problems of today are corrected.  We believe Jesus came as the central part of this correcting.  One little infant.  Enough for us all.  Zechariah did not really know what he was talking about.  "Rescue us from our enemies." We know the enemy to be the darkness that separates us from joy. 

PRAYER: We wait patiently through the night because salvation comes in the morning.

Advent Twenty Three - As a Child

Children of Calais by Ian Wolter.
In Dorset House Gardens, Saffron Walden.

 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, 

“Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.  Matthew 18 1-5

We all know that there is something wonderful about little children.  "Change, and become like a little child."  Little children live for today.  They look out of their eyes at the world, and forget about themselves.  When they do remember themselves, they tend to be open and honest.  Their failings are plain to see.  They can love anyone.  They tend not to be interested in expensive things, but have attachments to simple things, such as sticks or feathers. 

Little children wear their heart on their sleeve.  They laugh, cry, love and  delight in simple things, such as tiny creatures, or puddles.

Once when I was looking after the under 5's at church, Joshua. Andre's son, looked into my ear (I was sitting on the floor) he pulled on the protruding hair and said 'you've got as beard in your ear'. 

PRAYER: I come to you with simple faith and trust that I need nothing else other than to live with you.

Children of Calais is a replication of the famous Rodin sculpture called the burgers of Calais (1898).  One statue is outside Calais' Marie, and the other is in the Gardens at the Palace of Westminster.

Advent Twenty Two - Balance

Annan Affotey
Credit: yellowzine.com

Jesus said to the Pharisee, “Simon, I have something to say to you.”

“Teacher, what is it?” Simon replied.

Jesus told him, “Two people were in debt to a moneylender. One of them owed him 500 silver coins, and the other owed him 50. Since neither of them could pay him back, the moneylender said that they didn't have to pay him anything. Which one of them will like him more?”

Simon answered, “I suppose it would be the one who had owed more and didn't have to pay it back.”

“You are right,” Jesus said.

He turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Have you noticed this woman? When I came into your home, you didn't give me any water so I could wash my feet. But she has washed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. You didn't greet me with a kiss, but from the time I came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet. You didn't even pour olive oil on my head, but she has poured expensive perfume on my feet. So I tell you that all her sins are forgiven, and that is why she has shown great love. But anyone who has been forgiven for only a little will show only a little love.”

Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.” Luke 7: 40-49

When Jesus met Simon the Pharisees he looked him square in the eyes.  Against his better judgement, Simon knew that Jesus was special, and he wanted to get close to him.  It's hard to imagine a contemporary encounter.  I think it might be like a successful politician, or a rich successful entrepreneur.  They will be used to people fawning and desperately wanting to see them.  Jesus did not.  He treated Simon in a similar way to everyone else.  He was civil and friendly, but he did not given Simon any more, or any less because of his status.  He also pointed out to Simon that the way Simon was treating him was dishonouring.  Mary Magdalene in contrast showed Jesus that she knew his worth.  Jesus was touched.  We can follow Jesus' example....and Mary's. 

PRAYER: I honour you by bowing at your feet.  I love you with my whole heart.

Advent Twenty One - Power

Sugar Silo I (2014) Zineb Sendira
Credit: Contemporyand.com

Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. James 3 verses 10-12

The point of this verse is that power works well when the source is pure.  Also in is pretty much true that pure spring water is going to always be pure spring water, because it's source is deep down and safe from pollution.  When our source of life comes from the creator of the universe, it will also be pure.  We have the power to hurt, offend, deceive....but our inclination is not to do this, but to honour, encourage.  Also to speak the truth with love.

 PRAYER: I seek to live close to you so that the source of your purity affects every part of my life.

Advent Twenty - Uniqueness

Monzzana, Tuscany - Ponte della Maddalena
Credit: Lifebeyondtourism.org 

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. - 1Peter 2 verse 9

I once worked with someone who told me that she was having 'compatibility counselling' with her new partner.  It made me think whether men and women were ever compatible?  (There are other types of relationship of course.)

I asked this again at a marriage conference.  "What do you make of the concept of compatibility?"

I was gratified to hear- yes, compatibility is a 'red herring'  We are all similar and different to each other.  The key is whether we are prepared to love one another, and consider the others needs as slightly more important than our own.  If we both do this, we are like the arches of a bridge that rest together in mutual support. We are compatible when we both have this foundation.

We are unique, and in friendship, we bring our unique qualities and mix them with others, creating something new that can only happen though this creation.

PRAYER: You have made me unique for a purpose.  I need to be who you have made me.

Advent Nineteen - Communion

Supper at Emmaus, by Caravaggio
National Gallery, London

As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther.  But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.

When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” Luke 24: 28-32

Everytime orthodox Jews gather to eat, they celebrate 'communion'.  They remember, just as they have always been asked to remember. Muslims also have a number of customs and traditions that help them to be grounded in the greatness of God.   

we meet together we also remember.  It is part of being a community.  We remember absent friends.  We remember how fortunate we are.  Let us remember how necessary the coming of Christ into this world is for us.  We celebrate with a 'present' friend.  This is the greatest blessing.

PRAYER:  We honour and worship you this advent as the one who as come to 'dwell amongst us."

Advent Eighteen - Singleton

 

Painting by Kathy Durdin
Credit: kathydurdin.com

I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife—  and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband.  I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord. 1Corinthians 7: verse 32 to 35

It is interesting that there are monks and nuns in most societies around the globe.  There is a choice.  Both are fine.  Paul thought that in his particular time, singleness was more straightforward.  I have come across a number of young people who choose not to have children, because they are fearful for the current state of the world, and whether child will be suffering due to climate change and possible war.

I see Paul's thoughts as echoing the message from the creation story.  The Creator intended to have a sole relationship with one person.  That person could not cope with this, and pined for a partner.  The Creator took pity, and much like a parent, knew that their child would break that promise that every child makes to their parents, that they will never leave.  

There is something special about being fully content to be the person we are.  Any change will open different doors, with different challenges and blessings.  

PRAYER:  I put you first in my life, and then those I love, and myself, but in close order.