Advent did today what it always does. It slipped in among us quietly, no trumpets sounding, no bells ringing. It is the first season on the Christian Calendar, but unlike the arrival of the chronological New Year each January, most folks hardly take notice. Even in the church there is only the spiraling smoke of a single candle, music that is wistful, longing, and empty of blaring praise. It is no reason it wins no popularity among the Christian community. It is finally the season of waiting and none of us ever get excited about waiting.
What the church starts demanding come the first of December is Christmas. And while Christmas is a powerful and joyous celebration, Advent instead calls the faithful to pause considering the reality that the One who has come is coming again. What does it mean to be in such an in between world? What does it mean to live within the Kingdom that is still to come? What does it mean to live with hope and anticipation that God does act in our lives to bring us deliverance from the darkness?
The questions of Advent are many and they make us uncomfortable. We would rather start welcoming the baby Jesus than recognizing that He is the Lord Who gives everything for us and calls us to respond with that same kind of unconditional obedience. Advent does not invite us to go to a party, but to live as one who is ready to journey with Christ from here to there to wherever here to there takes us.
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