Suggested Readings: Malachi 3:1-4;Philippians 1:3-11; Luke 3:1-6
Excitement. Anticipation. Expectancy.
Gifts, purchased, wrapped, given, received.
Bright lights, favorite foods, families gathering.
Hearts opened, generosity cultivated.
Classical music soaring, favored carols singing.
War, hatred, being burned in the refiner’s fire, the wrath of God…halt the holiday soundtrack.
When I think of Christmas, so many favorite things come to mind and anticipation settles in. But when I think of Advent, there is as much unsettling as there is expectancy. Our study of texts gathered to move us toward preparedness for Jesus has become an important turning point in the year’s work of spiritual rhythms and practices. But each year, the texts that greet us as we read scripture toward Christmas prod us to look again, think again, let go again.
Advent is the season of anticipating the coming of the Lord. This is more than the celebration of Jesus’ birth. This is the acknowledgement that God has been coming to the whole world and that God’s coming always surprises and rearranges. Our passages this week and today remind us of the constancy of God. God has been our dwelling place, our soul’s home. And yet we are also reminded of how often we fail to carry out what we’ve been given to do and be.
We are invited to count our days, to gain a wise heart. This counting of days involves reflecting back and imagining forward, even as we walk faithfully in this moment we have. As I read these passages in Malachi and Philippians, I am struck by the tone of remembrance in both. In Malachi the struggle is for righteousness, to be remembered as faithful to God. Perhaps Malachi and Philippians also offer some ways to move through Advent—an invitation to remember. Near the close of Malachi 3 we are told there was a book of remembrance created to encourage God’s people to remember God’s steadfastness as well as their past faithfulness to God. Of course, that review would also include the ways they had not been faithful, which conveys that God’s constancy to them (and to us) doesn’t depend on doing it all right. Instead that remembering leads to stronger living going forward, along with the hope that their loving memory would even give pleasure to God.
The more familiar passage in Philippians adds yet another practice that might help us prepare the way for the One who is coming to us. We are invited to spend time being grateful for those with whom we are partnering for the sake of the gospel. We are likewise called to offer gratitude for those who have participated in bringing us to the place we are—those upon whose shoulders we stand, known and unknown. We can be strengthened in our faithful service simply by remembering those who have brought us here, those who have accompanied us, and those who walk faithfully in the face of disrespect and distress. Our walking on in the midst of struggle is necessary for human life. And we are not alone. May our preparing the way guide our feet to the way of peace this Advent season.
Judy Skeen
Professor of Religion
Judy Skeen
