The days are coming, says the LORD,
when I will fulfill the promise
I made to the house of Israel and Judah.
I confess I like Advent more than any other season of the year. I love it when Christmas falls on Sunday, after four full weeks of eager anticipation. Because Christmas falls on Tuesday this year, the Season is short. However, this will be compensated by a Yuletide of two full weeks. The Baptism of the Lord falls on January 13.
This brief Advent of 23 days reminds us that "The Time is short!" and "The days are coming when I will fulfill the promise...."
Advent begins with a single candle lit against the darkness, and in the darkness we hear warnings,
There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars,
and on earth nations will be in dismay,
perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves.
People will die of fright...
Do people die of fright? In our time, fear is the coin of the realm. It is used to amass power, and has been institutionalized by religious sects, political parties and rogue nations. When a demagogue aspires to power he sounds a false alarm about aliens, minorities and shadowy conspiracies. He finds a supportive army of like-minded souls who see advantage in his bigotry even as they coolly distance themselves from his most egregious remarks.
Beginning in the early twentieth century, as kingdoms and empires collapsed, anarchists, Communists and Nazis developed terrorism as a means to an end. It is the most effective weapon against democracy. When terrorists continually sabotage local and national government operations, bewildered citizens lose faith in their governments and accept the rule of terrorists. Especially where the governments are inept and corrupt, the citizens welcome a disciplined cadre that promise security, even with the loss of certain theoretical "freedoms." What is freedom of religion, speech, assembly or the press compared to stability? Even if certain minorities are disenfranchised, hounded or murdered the majority accept that price for "peace."
Anarchists can be resisted and sometimes forced in to hiding by a determined citizenry that supports its government. The Ku Klux Klan, for instance, has been suppressed repeatedly since its founding, but it does not disappear. The cult of mischievous power with a suggestion of godly righteousness and a hint of rebellion will always attract some disordered souls. If they suffer setbacks, the complaisance of the majority -- who only want to be let alone -- will recreate the vacuum of opportunity they need.
Advent begins in darkness; it invites us to consider the terror of the night and the promise of dawn. Advent reminds us that, regardless of our feelings of security and general optimism, we still need deliverance. Threats remain and catastrophes happen.
During this season we pray, "Come, Lord Jesus." We're not looking for a baby. We're looking for someone who is worthy of our trust, whose integrity is proven not by happenstance but by his personal victory over sin and death -- to take us into that freedom which is always threatened and always fearless.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.