BAKER'S NOTES

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I am continually surprised by the scripture readings suggested for the first Sunday in Advent. I’ve been a pastor since 1987 and you would think that I would be prepared, but I’m always surprised and sometimes disappointed that we don’t start Advent on a high note. Shouldn’t we jump straight to the joy of Christmas?

Advent is about waiting, preparing, and being honest about what the world is like and reminding us why we need a savior. So, we start Advent with a set of scripture verses that act as warning signs. It similar to the three warning signs at every railroad crossing: a yellow sign with RxR, a large white RxR on the pavement, and the crossed signs saying Railroad Crossing slightly before the tracks. We can pay attention to these signs, or we can drive through the crossing without notice. It’s up to the driver’s discretion. 

An article on the General Board of Discipleship poses these questions for the first Sunday in advent: “We start with a prophetic call to look at the world we inhabit. How close are we to the kin-dom we proclaim week after week? How close are we to this coming ‘on earth as it is in heaven’ for which we pray regularly? Advent is about being honest.”

During Advent we are called to be honest with ourselves, but also to remember that joy outshines the personal sins of gluttony, pride, sloth, wrath, envy, lust, and greed (Christian scriptures); or the social sins of politics without principles, wealth without work, pleasure without conscience, knowledge without character, commerce without morality, science without humanity, and worship without sacrifice (Gandhi). 

During this season we remember Christ was literally born into a world of darkness, as the Roman Empire had concurred and was occupying Israel. The people were hoping for a messianic savior who would lead them in battle and kick the Roman superpower out of their country. They sought a savior King who would lead them in a military victory to regain their political stature and the control of their sacred homeland. 

But God chose to send a savior who offered light and life, instead of violence and death. Jesus was born into a world of darkness, and it was the common folk who took notice of his birth. It was the shepherds who came down from the hillside to see this simple, yet utterly amazing, birth of a child who lay in a manger. 

Our nation is torn by political ideologies that see the world in black and white, instead of the beautiful colors of the rainbow which was a sign of hope and promise to Noah. We cast a dark cloud upon people who see things from a different perspective than our own, saying things like: “If you don’t agree with me, you are blind, ignorant, and stupid.” or “You have been fooled by your own naiveite.” 

During Advent we light candles to shine light into the darkness. We don’t strive to support empires, superpowers, or a political ideology. We shine light to see the amazing sense of joy, hope, love, and peace which are offered in the birth of a small helpless child. We celebrate innocence and believe it will win the day. We are convinced a peasant couple offered the world a child who offered eternal peace and hope to the world.