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An Advent Tradition to Remember

I have read Charles Dickens 'Christmas Carol' every Advent for at least the last 40 years. There is only one passing mention of Christ in the whole story (Tiny Tim describing the reaction of the members of the Church congregation on seeing him, a crippled child,in church on Christmas Day and hoping that it might make them think of him who made the lame to walk). But it must be the most Christian story of all time. Wittgenstein thought it so!

Paul Richardson
St John, Devizes
Devizes, Wiltshire, UK
2 December 2015

In my family, we have always celebrated the weeks of Advent with an Advent wreath and its five candles. The candles gave us symbols, aiding the words so I could feel the story's message: royal purple for humility before the King, pink for joy, and white for the Christ Child, come to be the light of the world.

Sometimes we would miss a day, realizing too late that we had not lit the appropriate candle or even looked at the leaflet. When that happened, we would try to make the occasion up at the next dinnertime. Before the evening meal always seemed to be the best time, but I never understood why.

Now I realize that it made us pause in our hurry and haste, to try to reflect on the story of a Savior waiting to be born. Waiting to eat was never easy, and I sometimes felt embarrassed, sometimes moved (or both) while reading the Bible verses aloud. The little service is not a long one, but waiting was so hard. And what if God was listening, and knew how little I believed? And what if I heard the message, and knew how much we were saved?

Lights in darkness, a baby in a manger, a world waiting for new birth. Redemption.

Mack Knopf
St. Andrew's Episcopal Church
Birmingham, Alabama, USA
mknopf@gmail.com
3 December 2015

Allan Boesak
Advent Credo

It is not true that creation and the human family are doomed to destruction and loss—
This is true: For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life;

It is not true that we must accept inhumanity and discrimination, hunger and poverty, death and destruction—
This is true: I have come that they may have life, and that abundantly.

It is not true that violence and hatred should have the last word, and that war and destruction rule forever—
This is true: Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder, his name shall be called wonderful councilor, mighty God, the Everlasting, the Prince of peace.

It is not true that we are simply victims of the powers of evil who seek to rule the world—
This is true: To me is given authority in heaven and on earth, and lo I am with you, even until the end of the world.

It is not true that we have to wait for those who are specially gifted, who are the prophets of the Church before we can be peacemakers—
This is true: I will pour out my spirit on all flesh and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions and your old men shall have dreams.

It is not true that our hopes for liberation of humankind, of justice, of human dignity of peace are not meant for this earth and for this history—
This is true: The hour comes, and it is now, that the true worshipers shall worship God in spirit and in truth.

So let us enter Advent in hope, even hope against hope. Let us see visions of love and peace and justice. Let us affirm with humility, with joy, with faith, with courage: Jesus Christ—the life of the world.

-from, JourneywithJesus.org

Ray Hester
St. Paul's Episcopal, Mobile, AL
Mobile, AL USA
rbhester@bellsouth.net
30 November 2015

 

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