Anglican Cursillo Tasmania

“When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” (Luke 21:28)

 

Advent is here again. Episcopal priest Fleming Rutledge writes, "Advent is not for the faint of heart. As the midnight of the Christian year, the season of Advent is rife with dark, gritty realities. As we delve into the season, and think through the implications of Christ’s incarnation and his second coming, we can again appreciate the enormity of the role of the people of God now."

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How we read the advent story is affected by our experiences and what we have read and understood. Author Hal Lindsey passed away last week at 95, but some of us may remember the book he wrote, The late great planet Earth, where he sought to look at current events and interpret them through biblical prophecy. It is an interesting read, and tells us a lot more about the time it was written, than about the fulfilment of the things of God, but it does remind us that our God is active, as active today as throughout history. The type of writing though can cause us to miss the point. I have known people who see the church only as rescuing people from a dying planet. That we only grab the ones we can, and leave everything else. I have known others who have been so keen to watch events unfold and quickly point out who the Anti-Christ might be, rather than lean into God.

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In hearing again the story of advent, we see that it is not only about the past and the future, it is about now. Who are we as the people of God, and how do we respond? In school chapels we do a number of things, but two are very important. We try to bring the message of the bible into a current context, so young people can see the gravitas of Jesus’ words. We also celebrate communion once a month. For a young person, it is a touchstone for something very old and very ancient. The service and its ritual resonates in a way that speaks of a deep dimension to them. In having both, we seek to provide an experience of community. So when the question is asked about helping people who are crushed by life, or seeking to tear down the structures that crush people, which do we go for?  The experience of community answers both. It is not an either /or but an and.

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It also lets us understand that we need to ask the question each day, of who is Jesus for us now, and how do we stay connected in his Spirit?  Advent reminds us of who we are, and may it call afresh for you this season.

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DeColores

Lee