Advent I Sunday, December 2, 2007
By pastor John Jorgenson
Advent is the beginning of a renewed exploration of our faith and trust in God. The question that comes to mind is “Are we ready?” This is true of the entire experience we have in life. We are constantly facing changes of one kind or another. As I asked, “Are we ready?” When we stop for a moment and look at our lives, it can be and is very helpful to ask if we are ready for the changes we face every day. Actually that is what faith is all about. Are we making use of this wonderful ultimate treasure that faith provides or are we trying to live our lives all alone? Hmm, not a good idea, is it?
This morning, Advent One, we consider whether or not we are ready for Christmas, the coming of the Christ child? Next Sunday we will evaluate whether or not we are worthy of the gift of Christmas. Then on the following Sunday we will think about whether or not we are able to really celebrate Christmas. Finally on the Last Sunday before Christmas we will recognize that God is with us, giving us the gift of Jesus, the hrist Child. Christmas Eve then can be quite an awesome experience. God comes to you and me with a gift! You and I should be giving God a gift of thanks for all that has been given to us. Instead, you and I are the object of God’s love and consideration. Like I said, that is rather awesome!
Well then, let’s begin with the idea of our being ready. If we think of getting ready for Christmas it can be kind of like getting ready for Jesus returning to this world as He has promised. As we get ready for Christmas, how might this be like getting ready for Jesus coming to celebrate with us? The impact of Jesus on people can change them completely as the effect the baby Jesus had on the people who were there, the shepherds, the Wise Men and those of us who have celebrated Christmas Eve ever since. Now as I asked earlier, “Are We Ready?”
Does our getting ready mean hours and hours of shopping? Does our getting ready mean hours and hours of cooking? Does our getting ready mean hours and hours of decorating? We are talking about sharing a holiday with one of the closest friends we will ever have. The shopping, the cooking, the preparation is actually a waste of time if we think we are going to make an impression on this close friend. Who do we think was with us when we chose the food to cook or even thought about cooking? Who do we think was watching as we decorated? Who do we think was sharing the excitement of sharing a holiday as we were imagining how great it would be to talk about what we have enjoyed together, or to express appreciation for being remembered by one so close and dear to each one of us and to say thank you for the times when we were never abandoned or left alone, or who shared our concern for our family and friends when a crisis struck. Our getting ready then includes our friend Jesus. We do not get ready alone!
Our ability to get ready includes our being aware that the hour of the actual Second Coming is known to God and to God alone for good reason. If we knew the time and place we would idolize it and lose the global life changing impact that it will have.
After all we know enough to keep in mind that when that time comes, it will come with shattering suddenness on those who are immersed in material things. When you and I read and consider what is going on in our world the news of new ideas, experiences, knowledge and skills is really awesome! The global impact we can have today and the awareness we have of the entire created universe from the tiniest molecular item to the wavering edge of our universe has been recorded and we can read about it or observe it if we simply use our laptop computers or tune in a program on the Discovery Channel. This amazing development is fundamentally God’s gift to us.
Another thing to keep in mind as we consider how ready we are is that The Second Coming will be a time of separation and of judgment when Jesus will gather to himself those who are His Own. Our life then must be a constant preparation for that coming and if that is so, there are some basic problems included.
To live without watchfulness invites disaster; look what happened to the British teacher in Sudan who let her students make a doll and name it Mohammad, after one of the children in class. The cultural hatred emerged. She is in jail and is to be deported.
The idea that leads to disaster is the spirit, which says there is plenty of time. After all we are talking about eternity. Let’s keep in mind that we live individual lives, and we are individually responsible for our limited time here before we are called by God to come home. That responsibility for using these gifts and talents is really a very short and an intense time when we simply do not have time for foolishness and greedy actions that do not serve God or our family and friends who are in need.
The rejection of anyone is based on failure to do what is right, What is duty and what is reward is based on our fidelity, our faithfulness to what we have been taught. So the question remains very clear, “Are we really ready?” I mean that in a positive sense and I am not interested in discouraging anyone. I am simply suggesting that we might need to get ready for one huge meaningful event that will change lives, including each of ours. What do you think could happen to each of us on Christmas Eve? What changes and growth can we experience together during Lent? What new understanding of our faith can come at Good Friday? How much joy filled relief can we experience at Easter next year? During the rest of the year, what new levels of faith and freedom will we be offering to those who come and see what we are doing? Are we really ready for that change that is ours simply by accepting it as God’s gift for us as Jesus has taught. Are we ready?
Amen.