I really enjoy the change of seasons. There is just something magical about the way nature changes its course that reminds me of God’s creative genius. Of course, we are not quite there in regards to winter changing over to spring…and yet with the arrival of Lent on Ash Wednesday this week, we are there.
Just as Advent begins a few weeks earlier than the chronological winter season, Lent too shows up a few weeks before spring is actually sprung. Lent ushers in the season of renewal before the first buds appear on the tips of the trees. With our particular holy seasons beginning slightly ahead of the world’s weather patterns, Christians have the unique opportunity to observe God’s creative genius begin to effect change before the rest of the world starts watching. In this way, we are able to both settle our own accounts with God and be prepared to help the world truly understand what God is doing as winter becomes spring.
As always, we will be offering a multitude of opportunities for worship and response to God’s grace throughout Lent 2012. It isn’t really my style to try and guilt people into doing things. In my experience, this isn’t a very helpful way to get people involved. It is my style, however, to be invitational and tell people about God’s amazing grace. So, come as you are able and experience the sights and sounds of Lent. Come and experience God moving in imaginative and creative ways in your life.
Lent can be a very somber and reflective time. And, there is great necessity in that for us. But, Lent is also a time of great anticipation for us. Christians mark time by the changing of seasons. Our seasons may not line up precisely with the calendar year. But, that is because God tends to mark his time according to his own schedule, not ours. There is something wonderful and mysteriously unfinished when God starts something I think. Yes, I really do enjoy the change of seasons. It reminds me that God is up to something. I wonder what it is this year. Blessings,
By the time you read this EPISTLE article, most of us will have made some headway in the decorating portion of the holiday season. After all, this past Sunday was the first Sunday of Advent. That means that there are only three Sundays left before Christmas Eve. On Christmas Eve, we will gather as God’s people to proclaim that God, in human flesh, has come to dwell among us. That is, if we make it to Christmas Eve.
Advent means coming, most particularly, it means God is coming back to earth. God’s first Advent was the birth of Jesus. That is the story we will retell… if we make it to Christmas Eve. You see, in the gospel lesson for the first Sunday of Advent (Mark 13: 24-37), Jesus explains that the primary purpose of his coming is two-fold. The first is to come for the forgiveness of sins. The second is to come back and take us to heaven to be with God forever. However, in the parable he tells us that none of us knows when the time of Jesus’ second coming will be. So, over and over, he tells us to be ready, be prepared.
Being prepared for the return of Jesus is not some pie-in-the-sky whimsical ideal. It is the declaration of the gospel of Jesus. “I will come again and take you to myself.” (John 14) So, the questions of Advent are: 1) Are you ready to go to heaven? If Jesus came back today, would he find in your heart a disciple who is ready to leave this world and enter the joy of a new existence? 2) Is there anything in your life that needs to stop? In other words, if Jesus showed up this afternoon, would he find the activities of our lives pleasing and acceptable…worthy of heaven’s reward? 3) Are you staying alert? Do you spend any time in prayer waiting on the Lord for direction, advice, love, and giving to others?
Advent is not simply a time for the Hanging of the Greens. It is that, yes. So, go on, decorate. Put up your lights. Decorate your trees. Put Christmas music on and listen and enjoy the sounds of the season. But, please don’t ever forget, Advent is a season that the Church sets apart to remind all of us that Jesus will someday return to earth and take the faithful people of God with him to a new heaven and a new earth. The primary reason and question of Advent is, “When Jesus returns, will he find you faithful?” I pray that he will.
Grace & Peace,
Rev. James H. Harry