"Why did Ken preach a sermon on repentance in Advent?"
Welcome to the Scholten dinner table Sunday afternoon.
"Shouldn't we be talking about mangers and babies and stars?"
A dream teachable moment for a minister....
Actually, we've commercialized Christmas so much that we miss out on the meaning of Advent. Advent is a time of reflection and soul preparation, not extended party time. It is a time to reflect on the gift God has given us in sending Jesus to earth; and a time to reflect and wait with expectation for when Jesus will come again to usher in a new creation.
How are we living lives of gratitude for the gift? How are we already working for peace and justice in the waiting?
Seems like most of us have jumped on the cultural party bus, and instead of celebrating on Christmas day and after Christmas, we used up our time to reflect and pray... shopping, decorating, and celebrating early.
By the time Christmas actually arrives, we're so worn out, we're just ready to pack up the tree and be done with it all. We used up our 12 days of Christmas before Christmas instead of beginning the 12 days with Christmas and concluding with Epiphany (as intended).
We would do well to use Advent for Advent and save Christmas for Christmas. Reflection, then celebrating; repentance, then grace.
Amen. Let us pray. (Ministers just can't resist preaching on a teachable moment.)
May you be blessed in your Advent reflections!
Sunday, December 04, 2005
Repentance in Advent?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Well said, Jess. I did find it interesting to hear a sermon on repentance during the Christmas err 'holiday' season. Ken's message was a very good one, and one worth hearing any time...especially this time of year, when we're (at least I am) focused on the 'holiday' stuff and not the true meaning of Christmas.
Post a Comment