Advent Lutheran Church

"Be Strong and Courageous (Advent 3 Midweek)"

 

            Can you believe that there are already three candles lit on the Advent wreath?  Soon the last blue candle will be lighted and we’ll be almost there…So how is your Advent preparation going?  Last Saturday morning I came here to the church expecting a quiet, calm space to prepare.  What I found were cars in the parking lot, kids everywhere - yelling, singing, ringing…

Bishops coming and going, and red, in preparation for Anteneh’s ordination service.  On top of the red was the overlay of the city of Bethlehem.  It was all too confusing.

            Then, last Saturday late afternoon, I entered the sanctuary once again.  This time, the blue had returned in preparation for Advent 3 and there was, indeed, a quiet, calm space to prepare.  Our Advent can be like that:  we can have the expectation of quiet, calm space or a hectic, crazy mass of activity – but either path will get you to the place where you can prepare your home, your family, and your heart for the re-entry of “love” (the 3^rd candle.) 

            You might know the song, “Love comes down at Christmas.”  Life and love exist between these opposite poles:  from joy to sorrow, to joy.  From blue to red to blue.  From teaching a vicar to letting him go be a pastor.  From families far-flung to holiday gatherings.  From Advent waiting to Christmas joy.

            And, of course, love comes down at Christmas.  But we worship Emmanuel –God with us.  And God’s love has been “coming down” for generations:  through promise and fulfillment, in preparation and realization.  For Joshua, it was the point of transition from the sojourn in the wilderness to the entry into the Promised Land.  But first, he had to grieve the death of Moses.  And then, the people had to march across the Jordan into an uncertain future secured only by God. 

            “An uncertain future secured only by God.”  Isn’t that were we all are tonight?  So, to us, Joshua says, “Be strong and courageous…”  Sometimes, with Advent (and with life) we need

strength more than calm, courage more than “holiday spirit.”  Love is what brings the strength, and provides the courage.  Love is what the shepherds got a tiny little glimpse of that night outside Bethlehem – when for once (for one, brief shining moment) – they were important.  They felt the love of God because the outcasts were now the “chosen.”  The unwanted were the center of attention.

            One of our favorite seminary professors, Ted Peters, tells the story of his daughter Kathy Kim.  Kathy Kim came from Seoul, South Korea, when she was 18 months old.  At age 4, she appeared in court with the Peters family.  As they prepared to go to the official adoption proceedings, Kathy Kim called out “I’m gonna get ‘dopted today!”  She hollered to a neighbor,

“I’m gonna get ‘dopted today!” And finally she declared to the judge, “I’m gonna get ‘dopted today!”   Dr. Peters writes, “She sat tall and proud and listened to the grown-ups talk with big words well beyond her understanding.  Then, with almost no ceremony” – a handshake, and it was over.  Done.

            “Am I ‘dopted now?”  she asked.  “Yes, you’re now adopted.”  “Oh, good.”  And that was that.  Her anticipation eclipsed the actual event, the party, decorations and the music.  The promise had already been fulfilled in their love. Sometimes, in life, we need strength more than decorations, courage more than gifts.  An “Are we there, yet?” more than “We’re here!”

 

                        But for now, take just a moment, and breathe in deeply.

                        Whisper “thank you, Jesus” into the silence.

                        Let yourself be wrapped in Advent blue…

                        And just be here.

 

            You are strong.  You are courageous.  Because you are loved.  And that love is here.  It will always be here.  At Advent, at Christmas and all the days of our lives.  AMEN.