Setting the Stage For Our Advent Journey, even Before It Begins.
Getting in Touch with Myself One of the best ways to
prepare for the very special season of Advent is to "get in touch with
ourselves." It may sound odd, but
one symptom of our contemporary lives is that we can often be quite "out
of touch" with what is going on in our very own hearts. We are about to begin our Advent, right at
the time our Western culture begins Christmas preparations. It is a busy time, and our heads are filled
with details to remember. And, it is a
time of emotional complexity that is part of this holiday season - with all of
the expectations and challenges of family and relationships: who we want to be with and who we struggle to
be with. So, our hearts are a bit tender, if not completely defended from
experiencing anything deeply.
We are about to hear some very powerful and stirring
readings from Isaiah, the Prophet. We
will re-enter the ancient tradition of a people longing for the coming of a
Saviour. We may remember the days of our
childhood when we longed for Christmas to come, because it was a magical time
of receiving gifts. As adults, we have to ask ourselves: "What is it I
long for now?" The answer won't
come easily. The more we walk around
with that question, and let it penetrate through the layers of distraction and
self-protection, the more powerfully we will experience Advent.
Salvation From We are about to read and pray about the
expectant hope of Israel, as expressed through Isaiah. The images we will be using are about
darkness and gloom - about thick clouds covering the people - and about hunger
and thirst. They are images that attempt
to capture a sense of what we feel when we are distant from our God. There are many images about war and
conflict. They express the powerlessness
and anxiety we experience when we feel vulnerable and defense-less. Most of all, there are images of a future day
- a day that can only be called the Lord's - when all the tears will be wiped
away, when there will be plenty to eat and drink, and when there will be no
more conflict and no more war. God's
salvation will be made known. God's
victory will be complete.
These are very precious days for us to come into intimate
contact with our own need for salvation.
It is a time to make friends with our tears, our darkness, our hunger and
thirst. What is missing? What eludes my grasp? What name can I give to the
"restlessness" in my heart?
What is the emptiness I keep trying to "feed" with food, with
fantasy, with excitement, with busyness?
What is the conflict that is "eating at me"? What is the sinful, unloving, self-centred
pattern for which I haven't asked for forgiveness and healing? Where do I need a peace that the world cannot
give?
Coming to know where I need a Saviour is how I can prepare
for Advent I am preparing to listen to the promises, listen to these rich texts
announcing the liberation I can truly long for.
When my heart is open, when my hands are open, when my mouth is open and
ready to ask for freedom, healing and peace, then I am ready to begin Advent.
Come, Lord, Jesus. Come and Visit Your People.
We Await Your Coming; Come, O, Lord.
Isaiah 35
The desert and the parched land will exult; the steppe
will rejoice and bloom.
They will bloom with abundant flowers, and rejoice with
joyful song. The glory of Lebanon will be given to them, the splendour of Carmel
and Sharon; They will see the glory of the LORD, the splendour of our God.
Strengthen the hands that are feeble, make firm the knees
that are weak,
Say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear
not! Here is your God, he comes with vindication; With divine recompense he
comes to save you.
Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of
the deaf be cleared; then will the lame leap like a stag, then the tongue of
the dumb will sing. Streams will burst
forth in the desert, and rivers in the steppe.
The burning sands will become pools, and the thirsty ground, springs of
water; the abode where jackals lurk will be a marsh for the reed and papyrus. A
highway will be there, called the holy way; No one unclean may pass over it,
nor fools go astray on it. No lion will be there, nor beast of prey go up to be
met upon it. It is for those with a journey to make, and on it the redeemed
will walk.
Those whom the LORD has ransomed will return and enter
Zion singing, crowned with everlasting joy; They will meet with joy and
gladness, sorrow and mourning will flee.
Isaiah 35 from: New American Bible
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