November 29, 2020; 1st Sunday in Advent; Pastor Rebecca Ellenson
Here we are, still waiting, watching and wondering. This whole year has been filled with watching and waiting and wondering. Watching the movement of the pandemic, waiting for a vaccine or a cure or a semblance of “normal,” wondering what more can happen in this year.
Now it’s Advent, a season before Christmas whose themes are watching and waiting and wondering, whose biblical readings begin with words of lament:
Tear open the heavens and come down, so the mountains would quake at your presence—as when fire kindles brushwood and fire causes water to boil. Isaiah 64: 1-2
O Lord God of hosts, how long will your anger fume when your people pray? Ps. 80: 4
The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Mark 13: 24
These texts give us permission to tell the truth in this time of expectation and preparation. We may decorate our homes with bright lights even as we long for social gatherings. As winter closes our doors and windows in the North we may tire of isolation. We fear for those exposed to risks, and we are sick of waiting. How long indeed!?!
Our prayers may be as big and bold as those of Isaiah who wants a Big Thing to happen by a Big God who does Awesome Deeds. Let’s be honest: aren’t our prayers similarly big? Bring an end to this pandemic, that lives may be saved. Protect the poor and vulnerable, the unemployed and hungry. Uphold and strengthen health care workers. Save us all! In fact, our prayers may be even bigger than that. End hunger. Eradicate racism. Thwart greed. Restore the health of our planet. Stir up the Heavens O God and Come Down!! Advent’s themes of watching, waiting, and wondering have never seemed more fitting. Oh yes, we long for a mighty show of divine power to fix this broken world of ours.
Yet, when God comes, it is not with shaking mountains and devouring flame. Our God comes to us in a baby, born in a poor place. The salvation that comes is not the salvation we might hope for. The Christ child comes humbly, emptied of all worldly might and glory.
Even when we are tired of waiting, even when we lament the sorry state of things, even as we wonder what more can go wrong this year, even when we long for the heavens to open and the mighty power of God to save us all—the message of Advent may be just what we need to hear. Watch, wait, wonder, and prepare to receive the One who Comes.
Here we are. Just where we are meant to be. Welcome the watching and waiting. Pray to be open to the Spirit’s leading. Light a candle and patiently pray in the stillness. Let your hopes rise and watch for salvation that is waiting to be born. Amen.