O Lord, my heart is not lifted up,
my eyes are not raised too high;
I do not occupy myself with things
too great and too marvelous for me.
But I have calmed and quieted my soul,
like a weaned child with its mother;
my soul is like the weaned child that is with me.
O Israel, hope in the Lord
from this time on and forevermore.
–– Psalm 131
With apologies to the liturgical police, for me, the season of Advent needs to begin early this year. It is a time of thoughtful reflection and watching for signs of the inbreaking of the kingdom of God, signs that contradict the narrative that nations and powers have dominion over our spirits, our minds, our hearts, and our hopes. “And you shall bear a son…” The summary prayer of Advent is –– Come, Lord Jesus. I don’t understand this to be a prayer of desperation as with the lament you offer through gritted teeth at the airport –– O come, O come, ye shuttle bus, come near, and ransom captive travelers here. Rather, it is a prayer of assured hope, trusting that current travails will not subvert the Lord’s ultimate intentions.
Elections, dark prophecies, revenge politics, stock market fluctuations, and online idiocy may appear to hold sway over all things, yet those who voice Advent prayers know that there is a different kingdom emerging, wherever, or whenever, and among whoever there is a will to reconcile, a strength to forgive, an effort to heal, a word to encourage, a hand to hold, or a humility to behold goodness among those from whom we least expect it. Come, Lord Jesus.
Yet, to hear, see, or comprehend these subtle signs of this emerging kingdom, you have to step away from the noise that distracts you from paying attention, if only for a season in order to filter out the static and perceive the wondrous glory of what the Spirit of God is accomplishing here and now through a faithful people grounded in love and equipped with grace.
Yes, after all the apocalyptic zeal and ugliness of divisive campaign rhetoric, it would seem wise to begin Advent now, quietly reflecting on who the Coming One calls us to be and how our lives may better reflect the ways of Christ’s kingdom. Let us hearken to the wisdom of traditional Advent plea:
“Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
and with fear and trembling stand;
ponder nothing earthly minded,
for, with blessing in His hand,
Christ our God to earth descendeth,
our full homage to demand.”
|