The end of Advent

And so we reach the end of Advent...in a flurry, in a maelstrom of wrapping paper and tinsel. It's such a shame.

We start with the Advent cry...O Come...and maybe end with the whispered plea, 'Let it end!'.

Many of us can't honestly say when we switch into Christmas mode. For some, Advent is entirely about preparing for Christmas - after all we have Advent Calendars? For others it starts with decorations, or the first mince pie, or the office party, or the finish of school, or the first carol service...many differing views, but what seems clear is that it is virtually impossible to cling resolutely to Advent as distinct from Christmas throughout all four weeks - at some point we forget this season and focus on the next.

Now please don't think I'm trying to be some sort of liturgical Grinch...I think it is important to present opportunities for Christians and non-Christians to prepare for the celebration of Jesus' birth.

But when the season becomes increasingly focused on the past rather than the future, then I fear Advent loses its penitential flavour.

I have read, every year for the last decade, a book by Patrick Cowley, 'Advent - its liturgical significance'. I love Cowley's straightforward style and I will doubtless refer back to this often in coming years, but, for now, one quote:

"Because of the unpredictableness of the end, [we] must live under the impendingness of it, and be ready to encounter it. This means that, particularly in Advent, [one] must be alert to his true self, and examine his spiritual stature in order to know whether he is growing in grace or evil. It is for this reason that the Advent season is a penitential one."

The last day of Advent is Christmas Eve. The evening prayer readings for the day are still Advent readings, and I am struck by the choice of Revelation 1:1-8. This is the prologue to John's vision of the end. It deserves quoting:

"To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.

“Look, he is coming with the clouds,”
and “every eye will see him,
even those who pierced him”;
and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.”
So shall it be! Amen.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”" (Rev. 1:5-8)

Let me ask - at the end of this Advent are you more aware of your need of a Saviour? And are you more eagerly awaiting Jesus' return? Are you clearer than ever why Jesus came: first to save, and again to reign? Do we see the sin that clings to us, and to the world. Do we echo the Advent cry - Come, Lord Jesus!

I hope you have a brilliant Christmas - enjoy it - feast - be merry and celebrate - life needs moments of joy and sharing. But I do hope and pray that Advent has drawn you closer to God.

The following is an Advent hymn I've never sung before - but hope to in future. It perhaps more than any other carol has in both hands Advent and Christmas. I hope it stirs you to seek the indwelling presence of Christ.

When came in flesh the incarnate Word,

The heedless world slept on,

And only simple shepherds heard

That God had sent His Son.

When comes the Savior at the last,

From east to west shall shine

The awful pomp, and earth aghast

Shall tremble at the sign.

Then shall the pure of heart be blest;

As mild He comes to them,

As when upon the virgin’s breast

He lay at Bethlehem.

As mild to meek eyed love and faith,

Only more strong to save;

Strengthened by having bowed to death,

By having burst the grave.

Lord, who could dare see Thee descend

In state, unless he knew

Thou art the sorrowing sinner’s Friend,

The gracious and the true?

Dwell in our hearts, O Savior blest;

So shall Thine advent’s dawn

’Twixt us and Thee, our bosom Guest,

Be but the veil withdrawn.

Lord of your home?

O Antiphons - Day 2 (18th December) - O Adonai

O come, O come, great Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes on Sinai’s height
In ancient times once gave the law
In cloud and majesty and awe.

The antiphon for the day is:

O Adonai, and leader of the House of Israel,
who appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush
and gave him the law on Sinai:
Come and redeem us with an outstretched arm.

We had our carol service tonight. It was beautiful. The choir sang a beautiful lullaby written by John Rutter.

Also in the service, the vicar (Paul) asked a very painful question, "How would your home look if it was under the gentle rule of Jesus?"

Ouch!

Well, I confess that my home does not always confess that Jesus is Lord. Sorry. My life is all too often about creeds and liturgy, rather than a life lived with Jesus as my personal Lord.

Jesus' claim of Lordship over my life is not based on frippery and flaky philosophy, but as a consequence of his true nature. We see Jesus in the burning bush - see Jesus giving Moses the law on Sinai. Lordship based on holiness and righteousness. The Jesus we worship as a babe is also, and is eternally, the Lord of all.

Once again I am driven to admit that I do not trust Jesus enough. Yes - Jesus is my saviour.

But the challenge in Advent, as we look to his return - a return that might come tomorrow - is Jesus my Lord? Is he yours?

Jesus our wisdom

O Antiphons - Day 1 (17th December) - O Sapientia

Jesus is somewhat mystically described as our wisdom...in Veni Veni Emmanuel the verse says:

O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,
Who orderest all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in her ways to go.

The antiphon is:

O Wisdom, coming forth from the mouth of the Most High,
reaching from one end to the other mightily,
and sweetly ordering all things:
Come and teach us the way of prudence.

Let me say now...I am quite a stupid person. Sure I'm fairly well read, intelligent by most standards, and a graduate from a top university, but I am prone to making some stupid decisions. Sometimes I'm daft because I'm motivated by sin, sometimes lack of energy, sometimes because I didn't think things through...

During Advent I am forced to conclude that I am desperately needful of God's wisdom. I am also forced to conclude that I am desperately forgetful of this need. Jesus comes to bring fulness of life and this includes wisdom and insight. We get some of this wisdom by reading his Word, but also from His Spirit dwelling with us. We must also conclude that when we read Jesus' teaching we are struck by his clarity of thought, insight, and wisdom.

Another thought to consider is the way the Bible refers to wisdom as part of the creative process. Wisdom was present at creation. Jesus is wisdom, and we read in Colossians that He created the world. Scientific knowledge demonstrates how amazingly intricate and astonishing the natural world is - how utterly awe-inspiring it is - and Jesus thought it all up. The baby in the manger thought up everything.

But how often do we marginalise this aspect of Christ's nature? Do we really understand that nothing and noone offers more wisdom than Jesus?

32 “Now then, my children, listen to me;
blessed are those who keep my ways.
33 Listen to my instruction and be wise;
do not disregard it.
34 Blessed are those who listen to me,
watching daily at my doors,
waiting at my doorway.
35 For those who find me find life
and receive favor from the LORD.
36 But those who fail to find me harm themselves;
all who hate me love death.” (Proverbs 8:32-36)

Prayer:
Father God, this Advent and Christmas give me the desire to turn to you for wisdom, for insight, for guidance in all matters of life. Help me do this daily, for by turning to you each day Lord we will be ever mindful of your return. Amen.

Tomorrow, I come...

"Heaven and earth shall flee away, when he comes to reign"
"We shall see him; but in heaven"
"Born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth"
"Cast out our sin, and enter in"
"Fit us for heaven"

We sing these words lots this time of year...

Seriously, we do!

Amidst the frankly romanticised and misty-eyed images of little towns, mangers, sheep and babies we sing, in our carols, some profoundly challenging words. Our Advent carols often carry dark images of Jesus return, but we can overlook the references in the traditional Christmas carols too.

And I think this is entirely appropriate...

Advent (for we are still in it) is a penitential season. But somehow if all I do at the end of the season is pretend that I'm an ancient Jew longing for a Messiah, or merely observing (in song) Jesus' nativity (like Harry Potter in Dumbledore's pensieve) then how, precisely, am I minded to penitence? We must remain fixed on the dual vision of Advent - both of Jesus' coming.

From 17th December, at evening prayer (vespers) before reciting the Magnificat (Mary's song of praise from Luke) the 'O Antiphons' are used. I blogged about this here. These antiphons focus on aspects of Jesus' nature, names he is given. The acrostic phrase, 'Ero Cras', means 'Tomorrow I come'...

Careful meditation on the theme of Christ's return drives us to consider themes of judgment, heaven, hell, resurrection...and naturally our own preparation.

We sing of being ready for heaven, for a life cleansed of sin. With Christmas but one week away, I will spend some time thinking (briefly) about each of the names of Jesus from this acrostic, and how we might be prepared for His return.

Advent...O come...

I love, absolutely love Advent. It is such a brilliant season; the expectation of Christmas, the increased number of parties, the rose-tinted memories, the carols, carolling and Christmas chart hits, the nagging realisation that I really should start preparing for Christmas sooner, and on
it goes. It is a season for family, laughter, friends and light.

But it's so much more...

Advent is the first season in the Church of England's calendar. And in this season we remember the two comings of Jesus - his first in Bethlehem as a baby, his second as Lord and King of the Universe to usher in his new kingdom. We live our lives in reference to these comings. His first bringing forgiveness and peace with God, his second fulfilling the whole of creation's purpose. We live diligently and faithfully assured of the certainty of both. The second coming of Christ has really been a topic that has grown in my mind this last year and a half. I am more convinced than ever that we need to live accordingly...

So I wanted to highlight one way, in Advent, the church makes us focus on Jesus' return.

One hymn we sing in Advent is 'O Come O Come Emmanuel'. It is an ancient tune, using even more ancient lyrics, but for many the liturgical significance passes them by.

From 17th December, at evening prayer (vespers) before reciting the Magnificat (Mary's song of praise from Luke) the 'O Antiphons' are used. (An Antiphon is a shared response that all the congregation join in). Each night uses a different theme, taken from the phrse ERO CRAS, which is latin for "Tomorrow, I will come". Each letter from the phrase is used to describe a different aspect of Jesus; each antiphon a name of Christ, or one of his attributes mentioned in Scripture:

December 17: O Sapientia (O Wisdom)
December 18: O Adonai (O Lord)
December 19: O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse)
December 20: O Clavis David (O Key of David)
December 21: O Oriens (O Dayspring)
December 22: O Rex Gentium (O King of the nations)
December 23: O Emmanuel (O God is with us)

You get the idea – each day takes a letter (in reverse) from ERO CRAS

E – Emmanuel
R – Rex
O – Oriens

C – Clavis
R – Radix
A – Adonai
S – Sapientia

Cool, huh??

The carol is lyrical paraphrase, and we don’t tend to sing them in order (as such) or necessarily using every verse:

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,
Who orderest all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in her ways to go.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny;
From depths of hell Thy people save,
And give them victory over the grave.

O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.

O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.

O come, O come, great Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes on Sinai’s height
In ancient times once gave the law
In cloud and majesty and awe.

O come, Thou Root of Jesse’s tree,
An ensign of Thy people be;
Before Thee rulers silent fall;
All peoples on Thy mercy call.

O come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,
And be Thyself our King of Peace.


You can spend significant time in Advent meditating on these themes. (Indeed my Advent blogging this year will focus on those seven days from 17 December)

I warmly invite you this Advent to think carefully about Jesus, his first coming as Prince of Peace, but also his long anticipated return as King of All. We join with countless saints who have whispered the petition, ‘O Lord, come... come tomorrow even... come now...come’

Indeed, Maranatha!

Life's Healing Choices

My cousin, Chris Drury (check his blog here), is the pastor at Lancaster Free Methodist Church. I get updates on Facebook from him/the church and am envious of the series they are going through at the moment on 'Life's Healing Choices'. Check out the blogs and websites for more information.

Today Chris said the following:

"Several people have commented on yesterday morning's message being really helpful, and so for those who wanted them here are the 7 Steps to Change to go with Romans 12:2 - "Don't copy the behaviour & pattern of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think."

I. Focus on changing one defect at a time: Proverbs 17:24 ...
II. Focus on victory one day at a time: Matthew 6:11
III. Focus on God’s power not my will-power: Phil 4:13
IV. Focus on what I want, not on what I don’t want: Phil 4:8
V. Focus on doing good, not feeling good: Gal 5:16
VI. Focus on people who can help me, not hinder me: 1 Cor 15:33
VII. Focus on progress, not perfection: Phil 3:13-14 "

Now I've not yet had chance to listen to the sermon - but these seven points are incredibly helpful on a day when I'm feeling flat! Thanks, Chris.

Ration your prattling...

Visited my childhood church this morning...woah!...what a lot's changed: people, pews, worship, ages (for instance, how is it possible that my ancient sunday school teacher is a) alive, and b) even more ancient...she must be impossibly old now)


Sadly, I feel prompted to blog after this service for negative reasons. Now I realise this is my personal take, and the minister I'm describing does not have the opportunity to speak back (to try and protect identities I've not named the church or minister, although I will establish they are male), but I think it important for my ongoing reflection to think through what I experienced. I am also, and as always, open to criticism myself - or even a response from the unnamed minister.

So my problems were as follows:-

1. The minister led the entire service - not leaving the 'stage' at any point, and throughout the nearly hour and three quarter service he spoke at length. Now, please don't get me wrong, some churches do have a lack of leaders, but clearly this is a church that both in the past and present have people perfectly capable of leading.


2. As I've said, the chap was far too wordy: he said too much too often

3. He remained stood by the lectern throughout all the sung worship and, as a consequence of his proximity to the singers, appeared to be part of the band. I saw no reason for his continued presence on 'stage'. It gave the impression he was simply hanging around for this quick activity, that he couldn't wait for the music to finish. He was also positioned immediately below the screen so that it wasn't even like he was out of your eyeline. For me, this was distracting. As a worship leader it makes me think afresh about how us 'leaders' look...are we distracting or enabling.

4. He led and preached. Again, this is unavoidable in some churches...or is it? I am inclined to think this is lazy - there are plenty of people in every church who are capable of being used by God to simply lead the service - welcome people, explain what will happen, ensure those doing readings or prayers get up, etc...you need no theological background to lead a service - but it might mean we have a break from the same person - and if a member of the congregation is likely to be a great encouragement. I think it is far better to have different people lead and preach. I was (frankly) tired of listening to the minister by the time he started his sermon.

5. Prior to the sermon however he did two mini-sermons in prayers! This is something I have often been accused of - long prayers that become theological treatise. This can be especially damaging after a sermon when the leader starts to pray their own sermon, or qualifies what's been said. There is a difference of course, in taking the sermon issues and praying into them, asking God to teach us, but another thing entirely to say 'new' things. Before the sermon even started the minister prayed two long prayers that whilst addressed to God included lots that (even to my visitor's ears) sounded like rebukes and reminders to the congregation. For example, "We know Lord that you call us to deal with one another in open and honest ways not gossipping behind one anothers' backs..."(just an example).

6. The longest pre-sermon prayer came at the start of free prayer, which stunted any congregation participation. A good while into the service, the minister invited the congregation to join in a period of open prayer, including prayers in mother-tongues. I was quite excited by this all member participation. However, the minister launched into a long personal prayer that felt preachy in tone (see point 5). When finished there were a few prayers from the congregation that didn't amount to the same length as his...and I wondered if his 'professional' prayer dissuades people...?

7. The sermon itself was one of the first I've observed for quite a while that wasn't either scripted or at least thoroughly planned with a definite explicit structure. Again, this might simply be a personal homiletical (theory of sermons/preaching) point of view, but despite this my rule of thumb failed. This rule of thumb is simple: can you explain the theme of your sermon in one sentence? I could not answer this question, nor my Mum, or my aunt. The sermon was long - easily over 30 minutes; repetitive; and neither narrative or exegetical. I think I could see where he drew his theme from the passage (Romans 5:1-11) but I struggled...

8. At the end of the sermon he prayed the ending prayer, we sang a final song (he stayed on stage), he read verses from Jude (vv.24-25) and the service ended. But instead of retreating from the lectern he just stood there... Again this may just be personal preference, or maybe by this stage of the service I was so cheesed off anything he might do would annoy me...I don't know. Either way, it was yet another example of the need for less of him. Had he stepped back two metres and sat on the chair, or dropped off the stage and sat on the front row, or even immediately moved to the back of church to greet those leaving...I don't know...something, anything that might clear my field of vision...

All in all I left feeling really disappointed. The minister did not minister to me, in fact he came across as deeply insincere, not least when during the sermon he invited the congregation to speak with him afterwards about his failings. This was delivered in such a spirit of insincerity as to have almost felt arrogant, by which I mean, it sounded like he would welcome criticism, but doubted a) that there would be any, and b) that any criticism was a reflection on the other person... When I go to church, I've realised I want to have space to meet with God, worship Him alone, to see my church family ministering to one another, and to hear God clearly from His word. I do expect ministers/pastors/vicars to be professionals, but I am not attending a show.

...phew...

Now....this minister may do all of this without being aware of anything being amiss. It could also be entirely likely that I am fundamentally wrong and getting my knickers in a twist over things that only annoy me.

So, let me rephrase this entire blog - maybe God was simply making me mad about those things I see in me. Am I too often the centre of attention in worship? Am I too wordy? Am I inprecise when speaking in public? I hope not to all of these. Certainly, I felt like certain 'rules' crystallized in my mind:
1. No one person should be visibly present on stage for the entire service - a surreptitious chair placed off centre might even suffice
2. The key is simple, straightforward speach. Every link need not be accompanied by deep explanation. I think this is part of a life lived in simplicity.
3. Let the worship band - if you have one - lead worship. Noone wants to hear or watch you sing - step off stage and enjoy the way the band/individuals lead the congregation.
4. A second voice is critical - you should always try to have a second person lead the service.
5. Prayers are not sermons!
6. Let people pray if you want them to - don't put people off with 'professional' prayers. In my experience people are not inspired by long prayers, they are intimidated.
7. Sermons must be easily and precisely explained, even if they are long - what is your theme?
8. You should step away from the stage as quickly as possible after the service, either to minister or meet & greet.

Harumph...having said all of this I'm probably wrong. I'm not even sure why I'm blogging about it...just got me all worked up.