My Understanding of Advent:
In the 5-6th century, Advent was a 4-week time of self-reflection, penitenance and prayer that converts went through before they were baptised on Epiphany. By the 6th century, the definition changed and it was the 4 week period to prepare our hearts for the return of Christ, which has connotations of appeasing a stern judge and us preparing for the trial. It was also the time to recognize our need for a Saviour and to come to unity at our Jewish roots who were looking for their Messiah's coming. In the middle ages, it switched once again to remembering the incarnation; I wonder if Saint Francis had an impact on that since many perceive him as the first advocate for Christmas as celebrating Jesus coming as incarnate diety? Jesus coming in human flesh does so much to offer us dignity as human beings.
The advent wreath has the outer circle of 3 purple/lavendar candles, 1 pink candle and the center is a white candle. The purple symbolizes the advent colour; the pink represents Mary (who humbly said 'yes' to God) and the white is lighted on Christmas.
Advent concludes on December 24 when Christmas begins. Christmas ends at Epiphany; thus 12 days of Christmas. The song came from that doctrine and not the doctrine from the song. As Anglican, we celebrate several weeks of Christmas Sundays with a break for Epiphany; and at Easter we celebrate Easter each Sunday until Pentecost. I accept that as what we do, but it still makes me want to giggle but I accept Incarnation and Resurrection are to magnificnt to try to corral into one day or even into words - they have to be lived out in daily life so the weekly reminder is a way to remind me, "Debbie, pay attention - this is important stuff for your spiritual growth."
So what does Advent mean to me at the start of this season? I am asking God to open my heart to accept more of His love and with that love to love myself with greater authenticity and to love others with more of the fruit and gifts of the spirit, with less of my egocentricity. He's a big God, I can ask Big miracles from Him.
First Reading:
Jeremiah 33: 12-14.
The portion that spoke to me is, "In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live securely. Jerusalem will be called The LORD Our Righteousness."
This is part of a prophecy of the root of Jesse or talking about when Jesus will come to earth. When read in context of the "fire and brimstone" of the rest of the reading, my first thought was Jesus missed the right time because Israel and Judah were under Roman occupation and crucfixion was a common practice, taxation was atrocious and that scripture couldn't have been talking about the time my Saviour walked on earth. No way. My next thought was it couldn't be talking about the time since 1949 and the restoration of Israel as a nation because they haven't had peace. So, I thought about extrapolating that to when we get to heaven; but I don't see us landing in heaven as citizens of various countries (although the 12 tribes names are inscribed over the 12 gates of Revelation 21.) Nations are mentioned 12 times, but that depicts where we are from historically - from earth. The Kingdom of God is not an Empire of various nations; but one Kingdom under God's sovereignity. Thus, to me, this is talking about a spiritual happening and not a current events, historical or future happening. It's an inner work of living in Christ and recognizing Him living in us; when we live there we lived saved and securily.... as branches grafted into the Vine.
Psalm:
Psalm 25. 5, 8 and 10.
The portion that spoke to me is, "Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; I wait for You all day long."
When my oldest son started working about age 14, he was on wait-staff of a large buffet restaurant; by age 18, he was assistant manager of this establishment with 75 employees that seated 325. I remember we were eating family supper and were talking about "waiting on the Lord." I thought wait meant twiddling my thumbs while God taught me patience and tarried or was outright tardy. My son looked at me in puzzlement and said (paraphrased), "When I wait on people at work, I may stand silently and inobtrusively nearby, but I'm standing there alert, observing, mentally involved and can be there to tend their needs at the first sign I can be useful." What an eye opener. I've kept that definition as I like it better then bored patience. I decided to look deeper and found Strong's dictionary gives this definition of wait, "A primitive root; to bind together (perhaps by twisting), that is, collect; (figuratively) to expect: - gather (together), look, patiently, tarry, wait (for, on, upon)." I was very excited to read the "bind together". It seems that definition fits well in this text. As I wait on God, I am bound together and that is what empowers me to let His love flow through me. Unitive Love of God for me and me towards all - even those who don't agree with me, or maybe that's especially those who don't see eye to eye.
Second Reading:
1 Thesselonians 3:12-4.2
The portion that spoke to me is, "May the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow more and more and become as great as our love for you. In this way he will strengthen you, and you will be perfect and holy in the presence of our God and Father"
The first part is a reminder of the Great Commandment to "Love God and Love others." Yet, this rendering comes with a promise. We do the Great Commandment and we will be strengthened to be found perfect and holy before God. Whoa! Of course, I have to caution myself not to add this to a list of do's and don'ts; as it is easy for me to fall into that type of legalism where I can feel "holier then thou" instead of realizing my holiness is in Him alone. I also like that it shows it's the LORD who makes our love for one another and for all people to grow. It's not something I can achieve, but something I surrender and participate with.
Gospel Reading:
Luke 21. 25-28 and 34-36.
The portion that spoke to me is, "when you see all these things taking place, you can know that the Kingdom of God is near."
I use to listen to hours of teachings on the end times and what current events and battle strategies were going on that would fulfill the militant interpreted scriptures. How can I be so egotistical that I think God is talking about me or my generation? To me, that is the height of pride. I no longer follow that - God showed us He is not violent by sending His Son who showed us what God is like - peace, joy and love. The fruit of the spirit lived fully in one incarnate being, my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Until I find a different way to understand those scriptures, I'll read them and 'wait" on God to show me. I know some scholars say these scriptures were fulfilled in 70AD at the fall of Jerusalem.
I can accept the Kingdom of God is something to come when we die; but I also accept the Kingdom of God is already in my heart and life. Jesus says, "The kingdom of God is within you." (Luke 17.21) He doesn't say it will be in believers in the sweet by and by; but that it is there NOW. Hallelujah!
Paul elaborates in Romans 14. 17, "For the kingdom of God is ...... righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." That I can chose to have now, even if watching the news looks like the rest of the gospel reading for today full of fire and brimstone. I can live above it and ride on eagle's wings and not get bogged down in fear of the future that paralyzes my now. I repent for having been bogged down in current events recently - although after years of not knowing or not caring what is going on in the world, the atrocities and anti-Christlikeness both appalled and intrigued me.
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Update from yesterday's entry of being hurt but not dwelling there but forgiving and moving deeper into God. I decided not to detach but not to push for a resolution. To stay close to God and continue to trust Him to find the correct resolution or for me to be content without resolution. I reread my blog on the cruciform cross and nail one side of the issue to Christ's left hand and the other nailed to His right hand - and I can hang in the balance like He did and accept and possibly embrace the dissonance. I'm not saying I may not need to guard my heart so I don't react out of the pain and anger stages of grieving the losses; but that is more to protect them from me; than to protect me from them. Yeah, that's do-able for me.
Thank you for reading my blog. ;-) May God bless you today.
