“Doing Advent”
Pastor David Hansen
First Sunday in Advent, 2006
Luke 21:25-36
December 3, 2006
“Doing Advent”
Grace and peace to you in the name of our coming Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Amen.
I love Advent, I always have. I get excited when we change the altar hangings to blue and when the advent wreath comes out of its box. I can actually feel my heart rate go up as we raise the tree and hang greens throughout the church.
Yes, I love Advent.
Certainly, part of the reason is that I get caught up in the excitement of Christmas.
I was one of those kids who – starting in the middle of September – counted down the days until Christmas; who started checking under the tree every day as soon as it went up to see if anyone had put any new presents there.
In fact, I was kind of like the two brothers who were visiting their Grandparents early in December. As they got ready for bed, the youngest brother started into his prayers. At the top of his lungs, he said:
“I PRAY FOR A NEW BICYCLE…
I PRAY FOR A NEW VIDEO GAME …”
At which point his older brother gave him a little push and said, “What are doing? God isn’t deaf.”
“No,” replied the little brother, “but grandma is.”
Like that little brother, I used to get very caught up in all the Christmas hoopla – especially the gifts, the parades, and Santa.
But over the years, the reason I get excited during Advent has changed. I still get every bit as excited as I used to, the focus is just a little different.
Christmas is about remembering and celebrating that day so long ago when God was born as a human in the little town of Bethlehem. That is no small thing, and getting ready for that celebration is certainly important – but it is not the only important part of Advent, as this morning’s Scripture readings make clear.
We do not hear this morning about angels making announcements, or about the frightened Mary and Joseph; we don’t hear about Wise Men and shepherds on a journey, or even about John the Baptist.
Instead, we have the adult Jesus telling us this morning that: “There will be signs” and that “When you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near.”
Advent is not only about a thing that has already happened – the birth of Jesus in a stable – but also about a thing that is ABOUT to happen – the coming of God’s kingdom and the return of Christ in glory.
Have you ever gone to an orchestra concert or a play? As everyone fills into the concert hall or theater, it is very noisy. Everyone is chatting, saying hello to their friends, and getting settled. But then the house lights go down and a hush falls over the crowd. Everyone focuses on the stage.
As one, everyone in the room is waiting and watching for what comes next – whether it is the curtain coming up or the director walking out.
Or maybe you grew up playing sports. I recall how everyone on the team used to get excited the on gameday. We would get excited and have a hard time focusing on anything else. We were chatty, talking through strategies, or what we expected from the other team.
But then, we gathered as a team to prepare for going out to field. Everyone was quiet, and we were all focused on the words of our coach.
In both cases, extraordinary things are about to happen: a concert, a play, a game.
But the extraordinary thing that is about to happen is matched by that moment – the extraordinary moment just before it happens. (Buechner)
In the church, we call this moment Advent.
Extraordinary and miraculous things are about to happen:
The return of Christ, “coming in a cloud with power and glory.”The arrival of the Kingdom of God.The New Jerusalem and the life of bleesedness that has been promised to us.But this moment, this moment just before what is about to happen, is every bit as extraordinary.
Advent is the time when a hush falls over us as we all focus our attention on what is about to happen.Advent is the time of holding your breathe, waiting for what is right around the corner.It would be easy to play the odds. Its been two thousand years, and Jesus hasn’t come back yet, so what are the chances, really, that he will return soon?
But what if he does? What if tomorrow is the day? Or … Today?
“Be on Guard” says Jesus, “so that your hearts are not weighed down with the worries of this life.” And also, “Be alert at all times, praying that you may have strength.”
Be alert. Watch. Pray.
This is that waiting moment. This is Advent.
If I am honest, most of the year I don’t think much about the return of Christ. Most of the year, I don’t really wait and watch. Advent gives me the reminder I need. And I don’t know about you, but I get excited about the possibilities.
It’s true, Christ might not come back today, or even tomorrow. But he is coming, and bringing God’s Kingdom with him, soon and very soon. And what is the worst that could happen if we started to be alert, to watch and pray?
-- We would become more focused on the work of God in the world.
-- We would learn to see Christ in our neighbor.
-- When troubles arise in our lives, we would have the strength that comes only from watching and waiting on the Lord.
There is a lot going on during this time of year.
Retailers trying to get that boost to their bottom line.
Families gathering for meals and reunions.
Finishing the school year.
Celebrating the birth of Christ.
In the middle of all this busy-ness, I invite you to heed Christ’s words from today’s Gospel. Be on guard. Stay alert. Watch and pray.
I would invite you to be still, and listen for the voice of God. Whatever this holiday season brings into your life, I want to challenge you to give ten minutes a day to Advent.
Take ten minutes, and step away from the hustle and bustle of the season.
Take ten minutes, and quiet yourself, so that you can hear the voice of God.
Take ten minutes a day to focus on Advent. Be alert. Watch and pray.
Take ten minutes … and then stand up and raise your head, because your redemption is drawing near, and you will see the Son of Man, coming in a cloud.
O Come Emmanuel. Thanks be to God.
