The gospel readings during Advent follow a pattern. On the first Sunday, we hear Jesus' teaching on the end times. On the second and third Sundays, we listen to John the Baptist preaching a message of repentance and baptism. The fourth Sunday gives us the personal stories of Joseph, Mary and Elizabeth before the birth of Jesus. In Year A, the gospel readings are mostly taken from Matthew, from Mark in Year B and Luke in Year C.
This year we read Luke's account of John the Baptist. He begins with a list of the powerful people of that time: Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate, Herod, Anna and Caiaphas. But to whom did the word of God come? "...the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the desert." Luke's list political and religious leaders places the story of John in particular time and place in history. It also shows us that the word of God does not necessarily come to the powerful, but is just as likely to come to the one who lives in the wilderness.
The third Sunday we find John answering the questions of the people who have been listening to his message. "What then should we do?" He tells the crowds to share food and clothing with the needy. He instructs tax collectors to only collect the money that is due and soldiers to be satisfied with their wages and stop extorting money from people. God's kingdom is near and John exhorts the people to prepare for it by living up to their social responsibilities. This is the way to "bear fruits worthy of repentance."
Monday, December 7, 2015
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Personal Advent Practices
During Advent, we wait and prepare for what is to come. As we in the darkness wait for the coming light, are we preparing to receive and share the peace of Jesus? Maybe it is time to consider new ways to incorporate practices to turn our attention to the coming of Christ to the world. Here are some ways to grow in your walk with Christ this Advent.
1. Expectant Waiting: Each week find time to journal or reflect on the following questions.
3. Relationships: Prayerfully consider if there is a relationship you want to develop, nurture or reconcile this season.
4. Word a Day: Each day in December, meditate on a word and what God might be telling you through that word. Paint, draw or create something to represent it. Make up your list of words, or use these:
Wait Time Go Awake Wisdom Ready Delight Holy Steady Hope Justice Sparkle Water
Gather Rejoice Strong Free Mercy Patient Sign Star Neighbor Comfort Joy Love
5. Gratitude Chain: Make a paper chain. Each day write one thing you are grateful for and put it on your chain. On Christmas morning, put your chain on your Christmas tree or hang it in your home.
Happy Advent!
1. Expectant Waiting: Each week find time to journal or reflect on the following questions.
- What new thing is God doing within and around you?
- What do you expect in your own spiritual life?
- How does the season of Advent prepare you to recognize Christ's presence in the world?
- What are you waiting for? Does Advent remind you of the importance of patience in the spiritual journey.
3. Relationships: Prayerfully consider if there is a relationship you want to develop, nurture or reconcile this season.
4. Word a Day: Each day in December, meditate on a word and what God might be telling you through that word. Paint, draw or create something to represent it. Make up your list of words, or use these:
Wait Time Go Awake Wisdom Ready Delight Holy Steady Hope Justice Sparkle Water
Gather Rejoice Strong Free Mercy Patient Sign Star Neighbor Comfort Joy Love
5. Gratitude Chain: Make a paper chain. Each day write one thing you are grateful for and put it on your chain. On Christmas morning, put your chain on your Christmas tree or hang it in your home.
Happy Advent!
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
Kairos
Today our prayer is:
Sometimes, I forget, O God, that time is kairos in your hands not mine. Amen.
What is kairos? What does it mean that time is kairos in God's hands?
The Greeks had two words for time: chronos and kairos. Chronos refers to the quantity of time, the passage of minutes, hours, weeks and years. Kairos refers to the quality of time, the right moment. Kairos time is independent of past, present or future and is the time that has ripened, is blooming, or reveals fulfillment.
In our reading today, Jeremiah speaks to the Israelites held captive in Babylon of the coming days when God would fulfill his promise. We wait today for our social, cultural and political woes to resolve. We each wait for the events in our personal life to ripen and bloom. Advent is the season we take time to remember what it is to wait for the promise that comes in God's time, in kairos.
Sometimes, I forget, O God, that time is kairos in your hands not mine. Amen.
What is kairos? What does it mean that time is kairos in God's hands?
The Greeks had two words for time: chronos and kairos. Chronos refers to the quantity of time, the passage of minutes, hours, weeks and years. Kairos refers to the quality of time, the right moment. Kairos time is independent of past, present or future and is the time that has ripened, is blooming, or reveals fulfillment.
In our reading today, Jeremiah speaks to the Israelites held captive in Babylon of the coming days when God would fulfill his promise. We wait today for our social, cultural and political woes to resolve. We each wait for the events in our personal life to ripen and bloom. Advent is the season we take time to remember what it is to wait for the promise that comes in God's time, in kairos.
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