First Sunday of Advent
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Scripture |
Luke 21: 25-3625“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. 26 People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” 29 Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees; 30 as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. 31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 34“Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly, 35 like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 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.” |
Devotional |
Creation is falling apart. All of God’s work in Genesis is coming undone. The sun, the moon and the stars even the sea threatens to cover the world again. The earth God raised up is being threatened. Didn’t God promise Noah that the world would not be destroyed by water again? Where is the rainbow that appeared as an assurance? There appears a new rainbow in the form of the Son of Man. As the world seems to be falling apart, suddenly there appears one to reverse the current events. The advent of the coming of Jesus that happened two thousand years ago does not end there but continues today. The life of everyone that is falling apart and coming undone at the seams can find the rainbow in Jesus Christ. Even when the waters come roaring and waves wash the foundations of life away, one appears to calm the turmoil of life. This Advent we begin with the turmoil around us, but see the powers of heaven have been shaken and Jesus appears in our lives. This year Advent begins with the promise of the reign of God and prayers so the people of God will be ready. It becomes a time when we reflect on the Lord’s coming in its many dimensions: his historical coming in his birth, his eschatological coming at the end of time, his existential coming into our own presents. 1 The second coming of Jesus along with the historical coming of Jesus is not in our control but the existential coming of Jesus is an opportunity for us to act.How can we experience this present coming of Jesus? This year begins with the promise of the reign of God, how can we prepare to be part of this event. Christian practices are a way we can experience the reign of God among us. Dorothy Bass and Craig Dykstra offer this help. Woven together, Christian practices form a way of life. This way is not shaped primarily by a certain cultural style, class, nationality, or age; on the contrary, the way can embrace people in every circumstance, taking different shapes in different times and places. It becomes visible as ordinary people search for specific ways of taking part in the practice of God, as they faithfully perceive it in the complicated places where they really live. It is like a tree whose branches reach out toward the future, even when the earth is shaking, because it is nourished by living water. 2 Will we be part of the reign of God? Being a part of this reign of God will take some sacrifice and adjustment if we are a part of the present coming of Jesus. There is a radical invitation in these texts, however, to reorient our worship, our buying, our preparing. Instead of pleasing others, how can we please God? 3 1 Fred B. Craddock, Preaching Through the Christian Year C. Valley Forge: Trinity Press, 1994. p. 3 |