The word Advent means to "await the arrival of something important".
I have to say, I have had my share of advent moments: waiting for a letter or a package to arrive; anticipation of an impending vacation; the birth of three sons.
Obviously, some of those moments have more weight and importance than others, but all of them bring the feeling of excitement, mixed with mystery.
But as for the season of Advent in the life of this community we call the church, it seems we have lost that anticipation.
Maybe it's because we have "been here and done this" before. Trimmed the tree, shopped for gifts, wrapped the presents, prepared and eaten our favorite foods, etc., etc., etc.
Not that those things fail to bring a sense of joy or excitement, but perhaps their familiarity, as the old saying says, brings with them a sense of contempt.
The excitement and mystery has faded.
So, if our familiarity of the events we celebrate at Advent have robbed us of our anticipation, what does Advent become for us?
For me, I refer back to a Puritan Prayer (see below) that re-orients me to the reality of the incarnation of Jesus (God in the flesh) and what that really means for me/us.
When we remember what the season really represents for us, the excitement and mystery return.
Christ was all anguish that I might be all joy,
cast off that I might be brought in,
trodden down as an enemy that I might be welcomed as a friend,
surrendered to hell’s worst that I might attain heaven’s best,
stripped that I might be clothed,
wounded that I might be healed,
athirst that I might drink,
tormented that I might be comforted,
made a shame that I might inherit glory,
entered darkness that I might have eternal light.
My Savior wept that all tears might be wiped from my eyes,
groaned that I might have endless song,
endured all pain that I might have unfading health,
bore a thorned crown that I might have a glory-diadem,
bowed his head that I might uplift mine,
experienced reproach that I might receive welcome,
closed his eyes in death that I might gaze on unclouded brightness,
expired that I might for ever live.
-A Puritan Prayer in the Valley of Visio
Knowing the lengths to which God has gone to secure my redemption renews in me an attitude of thankfulness and anticipation - for what God has already done and what He is still doing, in me.
Knowing that Jesus in the flesh has ushered in my salvation - what could be more important?
I have to say, I have had my share of advent moments: waiting for a letter or a package to arrive; anticipation of an impending vacation; the birth of three sons.
Obviously, some of those moments have more weight and importance than others, but all of them bring the feeling of excitement, mixed with mystery.
But as for the season of Advent in the life of this community we call the church, it seems we have lost that anticipation.
Maybe it's because we have "been here and done this" before. Trimmed the tree, shopped for gifts, wrapped the presents, prepared and eaten our favorite foods, etc., etc., etc.
Not that those things fail to bring a sense of joy or excitement, but perhaps their familiarity, as the old saying says, brings with them a sense of contempt.
The excitement and mystery has faded.
So, if our familiarity of the events we celebrate at Advent have robbed us of our anticipation, what does Advent become for us?
For me, I refer back to a Puritan Prayer (see below) that re-orients me to the reality of the incarnation of Jesus (God in the flesh) and what that really means for me/us.
When we remember what the season really represents for us, the excitement and mystery return.
Christ was all anguish that I might be all joy,
cast off that I might be brought in,
trodden down as an enemy that I might be welcomed as a friend,
surrendered to hell’s worst that I might attain heaven’s best,
stripped that I might be clothed,
wounded that I might be healed,
athirst that I might drink,
tormented that I might be comforted,
made a shame that I might inherit glory,
entered darkness that I might have eternal light.
My Savior wept that all tears might be wiped from my eyes,
groaned that I might have endless song,
endured all pain that I might have unfading health,
bore a thorned crown that I might have a glory-diadem,
bowed his head that I might uplift mine,
experienced reproach that I might receive welcome,
closed his eyes in death that I might gaze on unclouded brightness,
expired that I might for ever live.
-A Puritan Prayer in the Valley of Visio
Knowing the lengths to which God has gone to secure my redemption renews in me an attitude of thankfulness and anticipation - for what God has already done and what He is still doing, in me.
Knowing that Jesus in the flesh has ushered in my salvation - what could be more important?
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