It Came to Pass

Advent Week 3 – Joy

Second Sunday of Advent a Week Late

Sorry.  Week three is uploading as I write and I’ll load it as soon as it’s done.

The Rebel Jesus

I love this song. Jackson Browne did it on the Chieftain’s Christmas album, and Bebo Norman recently covered it. Considering that it comes from an unbeliever, it’s got a great message for Advent in particular.

All the streets are filled with laughter and light
And the music of the season
And the merchants windows are all bright
With the faces of the children
And the families hurrying to their homes
As the sky darkens and freezes
They’ll be gathering around the hearths and tales
Giving thanks for all God’s graces
And the birth of the rebel Jesus

We All Need A Savior

I have several friends who are doing Advent in their Baptist churches for the first time, and they have lots of questions about candles and logistics. I wish there were more questions about Advent itself.

For example, the mood of Advent is dark and serious. It’s not the mood of Lent, which is a particular kind of seriousness as the shadow of the cross extends over our path. It’s the mood of darkness that comes because the world is in darkness.

We need a savior.

Rowan Williams’s Advent Letter

Most of the letter is about the current debate about sexuality and the recent decision in New Orleans, but he roots his hope for resolution in what Advent represents:

A great deal of the language that is around in the Communion at present seems to presuppose that any change from our current deadlock is impossible, that division is unavoidable and that any such division represents so radical a difference in fundamental faith that no recognition and future co-operation can be imagined.  I cannot accept these assumptions, and I do not believe that as Christians we should see them as beyond challenge, least of all as we think and pray our way through Advent.

The coming of Christ in the flesh and the declaration of the good news of his saving purpose was not a matter of human planning and ingenuity, nor was it frustrated by human resistance and sin.  It was a gift whose reception was made possible by the prayerful obedience of Mary and whose effect was to create a new community of God’s sons and daughters.  As we look forward, what is there for us to do but pray, obey and be ready for God’s re-creating work through the eternal and unchanging Saviour, Jesus Christ?

‘The Spirit and the bride say, “Come”… Amen.  Come Lord Jesus.  The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people.  Amen’ (Rev.22.17, 20-21).

(HT to more than 95 theses)

Advent Sestina

A fine Advent poem.

Good Words from Two Bens

Ben Young on Waiting.

Ben Witherington with a wonderful Christmas sermon.

Advent by Thomas Merton

For those of us who look to Merton as an influence, today is “his” day. Both the anniversary of entering the monastery and the date of his death.

Here’s a poem.

Advent

“Deliver Us”

St. Nicholas Day

Mike Frizzell gives us a good St. Nicholas Day post with links for additional reading.

“Advent is the beginning of the end of all in us that is not yet Christ.” Thomas Merton

A Christmas Pageant

Our family has an annual tradition of celebrating a Christmas Pageant with another family. We put the date on the calendar months in advance. We have dinner first–a spectacular dinner of homemade pizza and some beautiful dessert. And then, after much giggling and secret preparations of costumes and props, we all repair to the living room for the Pageant. Everyone has to play multiple parts, unless we happen to have invited enough guests to each have only one. The script has so far been the same each year, and was written by my husband. It includes carols that could be rearranged or swapped, if you prefer others. You could add some instrumental interludes in the middle, or have a second act of musical performances. It has been the thing that most helps me to celebrate the Incarnation of Jesus in my heart. I share the text here, in case you’d like to use it–feel free to modify it in any way for your own family.

Matthew’s Begats

Advent 4 Evangelicals

Advent 4 Evangelicals hasn’t been recently updated, but it is full of excellent posts and material. Check out the archives. It is worth your time.