One of the fragile antique decorations that came out of its careful wrapping the first Sunday of Advent in my childhood home was a holder for four tiny candles, the size of birthday cake candles. When they were lit they created enough heat that the rising air set spinning a delicate windmill of angels, whose turning rang lovely quiet chimes. It was a mystery to me as I had yet to study physics. I was enchanted! It was an image of God’s Spirit setting things in motion and creating beauty.
Yes, a new one would cost me a mere $13.95 now, but I keep the slightly bent and tarnished one from my Mom. We keep to traditions of Advent, because they can rekindle an old hope. Hope and expectation! How do we enter into this season of hope and expectation when a sense of hopeful anticipation of God’s future seems completely contrary to the news of the world?
I love the season of Advent. The familiar visions from scripture of Peace arising out of Social Justice. Of people streaming to receive instruction from God.“They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” Isaiah 2.
I love the Advent call to readiness, “Put on the armour of light.”
The longing for the Son of Man to “decide with equity for the meek of the earth” (Isaiah 11) and yes, I confess how I want to hear in the next line that he will kill the wicked! Do I dare admit I long for this? Scripture gives voice to our need for fairness and retribution against those who create violence and injustice. Good thing scripture often repeats that vengeance belongs to God, not us! But I value that these sentiments keep my imagination thinking about a better day.
“The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze, their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den. They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.”
Poetry, music, traditions, ritual, tiny lights glowing in the dark. I invite you to be creative with the scripture visions of Advent, to meditate on them, draw them, write a poem about them, let them deep into your soul to nurture hope.
What hymn gives voice to the hope within you, the hope that is a gift of God’s Spirit?
What Advent ritual awakens your longing for a world that God has mended? What Advent tradition energizes you to hope again?
May this season draw you closer to God. May the light of Christ grow brighter for you this Advent to light your way through the darkness.
Yours in Christ,
+ Lynne
To the stirring tune “Jerusalem” the poet Carl Daw has set a hymn: O Day of Peace (#573 in Common Praise)
O day of peace that dimly shines
through all our hopes and prayers and dreams,
guide us to justice, truth, and love,
delivered from our selfish schemes.
May swords of hate fall from our hands,
our hearts from envy find release,
till by God’s grace our warring world
shall see Christ’s promised reign of peace.
Then shall the wolf dwell with the lamb,
nor shall the fierce devour the small;
as beasts and cattle calmly graze,
a little child shall lead them all.
Then enemies shall learn to love,
all creatures find their true accord;
the hope of peace shall be fulfilled,
for all the earth shall know the Lord.
Words © 1982 Hope Publishing Company
