First Sunday of Advent, Year C

December 2, 2018


This morning's Gospel Lesson can be found in Luke 21:25-36.

This text is suspiciously reminiscent of the readings from a few weeks ago, when Christ foretold the destruction of the Temple in Matthew.  But this is Christmas.  Shouldn’t we be talking about Mary and Joseph and the Angels and the Shepherds and wise men and getting ready for the coming of the Baby Jesus?  But instead, here we are – again – talking about things that aren’t comfortable.  Kind of misses the point…and made me re-check a few times to make sure I had pulled up the right scripture….

And maybe that’s the point…that we’ve been missing the point.  Christmas is one of those magical times of the year…that we tend to go blind.  I’m not sure why, either.  But while we’re so focused on trees and decorations and presents…oh, the presents.  And it’s not just making the list, running around, buying the presents, and wrapping the presents…but how are we going to pay for these presents…and then there’s I wasn’t planning to get her anything, but she got me something, so now I gotta go buy her something…ugh.  Then…we have to cook the meal, or possibly meals.  And we’ve not even talked about the hardest part of all…getting everyone together as one big, happy, drama filled family.  Or, is that just my case?

And we love it!  We can’t wait for it every year!  And shame on those who don’t have the same enthusiasm as us…where’s your Christmas Spirit?  Where’s your Christmas Cheer?  Go on and be an old Scrooge then with your bahumbug and your lump of coal and all that. 

And maybe, in the midst of our own Christmas Cheer meltdown, maybe we need to stop, and instead of booing those who don’t live up to our standard of happiness, we should see them.  Maybe we should step into their lives and try to understand their emotions before discounting them. Which, believe it or not, is where this text led me.  These scriptures both induce anxiety, then tell us to calm our anxiety.  Right.

And anxiety is a horrible, horrible state of mind.  I think I’ve shared with you all about my battle with anxiety.  As far back as I can remember I’ve battled this nasty creature.  I’m anxious about everything…I get anxiety about my anxiety…and if I don’t have anything to be anxious about, I’ll have anxiety about not having anxiety.  Christmas is the most anxiety ridden holiday in our calendar.  But before we dismiss this anxiety, let’s take a look. 

Maybe this Christmas is going to be a lot harder than normal.  Maybe this is the first Christmas you’ll celebrate since the passing of your spouse, your brother or sister, your mom or dad.  Maybe you’re divorced, and this is the year that your ex gets the kids for Christmas.  Maybe you lost your job earlier this year, and you just can’t buy all the presents and do the things you used to do this time of year.  Maybe you and your family don’t speak any longer, for whatever reason, and you never really think of the years that have passed until Christmas. 

So those of us who really aren’t excited to see the lights, and the tree and the presents and all the things that December brings…what about us?  And even those of us who love the season of Christmas, but get a little too caught up in it?  What do we have to look forward to?      

We have this amazing thing called Hope.  Hope isn’t a guarantee, or a plan, but more of a promise.  Hope gives us something to hold to when it seems that everything around us is failing.  Hope helps us focus our wandering gaze.  Hope is courageous, bold, and liberating.  And this Sunday, we are reminded of not only of the hope of the Christ to come as a babe in a manger, but the hope of the Christ to come in our days ahead. 

Will you pray with me:

As we stand in the uneasiness of life, O God, help us to remember this Hope that never falters, never fails, and never gives up on us.  Give us the courage in this season, as we wait in our anxiousness, to remember to reach out to you, our Promise and our Strength, and empower us to lift up those among us who are sinking into the darkness than can seemingly overtake us all.  Amen.