Christian, ever feel lost? Worried no-one is singing for you? [Blog]

If, like me, you grew up in a Church Culture that emphasised the need to 'make a decision' for Jesus, or 'come to faith, or 'turn to Christ,' you may have a particular blind spot to something that really arrested me this morning.

As I checked my Lectionary (calendar of readings for the year), I was taken to Luke 15. Immediately, my heart sank a little: the parable of the lost sheep and the lost coin (Luke 15:1-10). I feel like this has been preached at me dozens and dozens of times (it may of course be that I imagine this has happened!). In my childhood the purpose of this parable was simple: it illustrates that we must repent, for that is when the angels in heaven will be singing. As Jesus says, "there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who do not need to repent." And later, "there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." (vv.7, 10)

And that's the deal, yeah?

When a person prays the prayer, or comes to faith, or responds to the altar call, when they do that for the first time - the angels are rejoicing.

It's like heaven is a huge office with angels and the like beavering about on the phone, and every once in a while there's this cry, "Hold one everyone! Yes...we've just heard news, Terry has become a Christian!" And there's these whoops and cheers as the counter ticks over one more number. And some office intern hits a button and this choir is revealed to sing the Hallelujah Chorus, but is quickly ushered away back behind a curtain.

(Now please don't mistake me - Heaven and Earth care about individuals coming to faith - we're in the business of encouraging people to come to God, come to

Jesus, come to life. And this does require decisions.)

However, and here's my point: if the parable refers only to starting faith, what relevance does it have for me?

Perhaps, just perhaps, Jesus is reminding me that every time in my daily life I repent, I turn from one way of thinking, acting, behaving, and I recommit to a life as God's child - not my own master - whenever I do this, whenever I repent - there is rejoicing in heaven.

Heaven delights when it sees us following Jesus. This is why the angels are forever singing - there are Christians all over the world at this very moment rededicating themselves.

But it is not as though this praise is simply a recognition of my work. They don't sing praises to me, as if they go, "well done Rolf, you've chosen the right path again!" In fact, it is God who says that, like a parent - but it's much MUCH more about the angels delighting in the one who sought me out - the Shepherd or the Woman who lost her coins.

The praise in heaven is simultaneously about the Lover and the Loved - the Shepherd and the Sheep.

Be encouraged this day, that the angels and heaven delight and sing praises to God whenever and wherever you repent and turn back to Christ. You are never too lost or too broken - you are always being sought and loved by God.

Do you celebrate Saints' Days?

Do you celebrate Saints' Days?

Now it seems to me there'll be one of three possible responses to this question:
- A shrug of complete indifference...Saints whats??
- A whole-hearted embracing of all things saintly, including devotion and prayers to Saints, or
- A robust refusal marked by a clear appeal to Christ the only mediator, etc etc...

Why should this matter?

Well one feature of Anglicanism I have come to appreciate over the years is the calendar of saints days, holy days, commemorations and special days of focus.

I've written elsewhere of my deep admiration of various saints (Hugh of Lincoln, Henry Martyn, Charles Simeon...) but whilst enjoying the kind of 'who's who,' I've always struggled to understand what their role is in worship.

Today, 28 October, we celebrate Simon and Jude, Disciples and Apostles listed in the Gospels as two of the twelve closest companions of Jesus. While there was certainly a wider retinue of disciples and supporters who travelled around with Jesus, something different took place in the relationship with Jesus and his 12 Apostles.

On these Festival days we are encouraged to remember the sacrifice of the Apostles. Of the twelve original Disciples we know one, Judas Iscariot, committed suicide. According to tradition, only John survived to old age. Each of the other ten Disciples were martyred - killed for their faith.

These ordinary men from diverse backgrounds were so convinced of the Lordship of Jesus, that he had not only died but had risen from the dead, so convinced of God's love for the world that they went (allegedly) to different regions to preach the Good News.

Of today's saints, Simon, who is described as 'the Zealot', is believed to have died in Persia after refusing to sacrifice to the sun god.

Judas, sometimes called Thaddeus or Judas Thaddeus, has often been over-looked in devotions. His name being similar to Judas Iscariot (who betrayed Jesus - hence the suicide), people were reluctant to invoke his name. When he was prayed to it was often as a last resort. Hence the custom that one prays to St Jude to find lost items for he is the patron saint of lost causes! According to tradition, Jude was martyred in Beirut around 65AD together with the Apostle Simon the Zealot. He's depicted carrying an axe - the object that killed him!

Here of course, is revealed a problem with these traditions: conflicting accounts of where and how Apostles died. Did Simon die in Persia or Syria?

Of course, we cannot know with any certainty. Nor indeed can we speculate with confidence about their current location. Some believe the saints are in God's very presence now, while we toil below. Others see saints as no more special than any other human and are, therefore, very much dead and buried until the final days when we will all be raised. For the latter group, praying to saints is ineffective - they cannot intercede on our behalf. For the former, the opposite is true.

Here is not the place to explore this theological conundrum, except to say that in my own devotions I have grown comfortable praying about the saints. I am frequently moved and inspired by the stories of lives given in service of God. Many of these individuals were not inherently special, just ordinary.

The Apostles were probably the most normal, ordinary unremarkable bunch compared to almost every saint that follows - not least as they laid down the template of loving service.

So what?

Well, firstly, let us pay particular attention to the Saints' Days of the Apostles scattered through the year:

1 May - Philip and James (the less)
29 Jun - Peter (and Paul)
3 Jul - Thomas
25 Jul - James (brother of John)
24 Aug - Bartholomew
21 Sep - Matthew
28 Oct - Simon (the Zealot) and Jude
30 Nov - Andrew
27 Dec - John (brother of James)

Don't forget, Judas Iscariot, the twelfth disciple, doesn't have a day, and (yes) there are other 'Apostles' who are celebrated through the year, but these eleven are the original crew!

Secondly, use these days for whatever helps you remember their sacrifice. As these are festivals you may even want to develop little traditions that help you keep their memory vivid for the day. Be joyful and celebrate. Find some food that can help you? Or maybe visit churches with the name of the saint?

I enjoy tagging all my friends on Facebook  with the names of the Apostles - it can generate some interesting conversations!

Thirdly, and finally, it is important to use these days of celebration to fuel our own service. The collects (special prayers for the day, pronounced "COL-ect") help me.

Today's is:

Almighty God,who built your Church upon the foundationof the apostles and prophets,with Jesus Christ himself as the chief cornerstone:so join us together in unity of spirit by their doctrine,that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to you;through Jesus Christ our Lord.Amen.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of  witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."

Hebrews 12:1

Curacy Announcement

Today's the day!

After 8 months, I can finally announce that I will be serving my curacy in the parish of ST LUKE THE EVANGELIST, Beeston Hill and Holbeck, Leeds. We'll be moving back to Yorkshire this summer, specifically to LS11!

My Training Incumbent (TI) who is like a kind of boss/mentor/lead vicar, is a brilliant chap called Alistair Kaye (read about him here, here and here). He's easily one of the main reasons I was drawn to this curacy.

Because, and if we're honest, this part of Leeds we're moving to is not Cuddesdon, rural Oxfordshire! It's a vibrant, diverse, exciting, challenged and challenging place to live. And the church is doing some amazing work and it's going to be a place of huge opportunity and blessing - we're looking forward to joining in with all that God's already doing. To give you a sense of the challenges you can look at this useful info provided by the Church Urban Fund. If you're really interested you might also consider a recent documentary about the decriminalised red-light zone in Holbeck, part of the parish. It's pretty uncompromising, and by no means a reflection of all the area has to offer(!) Indeed, there's been lots of investment and good intentions about south Leeds.

It's a funny old process announcing where you've been sent to serve your curacy. Well...when I say 'your' curacy...in my case it's 'our' curacy, as in me, Jen (my wife) and our boys.

Well...I say sent to 'our' curacy when in fact what I should say is: I am sent, my family follow. They might even say 'dragged.' It's a very hard process, one I'm not sure I've got quite right.

And above all, announcing the curacy begins, somewhat formally, the process of mentally connecting with a new place, community, church and activities. I am very excited about where we're going. Excited and nervous.

It's days like these when I think about being both excited and giddy for the future and service, whilst also considering the cost and sacrifice to my family.

The old faithful verses come back to mind:

"I will come to you and fulfil my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:10-13)

And:

"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other." (John 15:16f.) 

Wise and Cheerful Boldness

Yay!

It's 17th November...one of my favourite Saints is celebrated today - Hugh of Lincoln.

I wrote a little blog about this chap six years ago (SIX YEARS AGO...what?!?)

One of the characteristics I long to see more of from folk around me is cheerfulness - it sounds trite, but having a joyful demeanour, marked by a sense of patient acceptance of where we're stationed at any point in our life - this can be a deeply attractive quality.

Here's the collect for today:

O God,
who endowed your servant Hugh
with a wise and cheerful boldness
and taught him to commend to earthly rulers
      the discipline of a holy life:
give us grace like him to be bold in the service of the gospel,
putting our confidence in Christ alone,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.


In addition to cheerfulness, the prayer mentions boldness twice.

What does boldness look like for you?

How might you cultivate both boldness and cheerfulness this day?

It reminds me of the office hymn we use during All Saintstide evening prayer: Give Me the Wings of Faith

 

Give me the wings of faith to rise
within the veil, and see
the saints above, how great their joys,
how bright their glories be.

 

Once they were mourning here below,
and wet their couch with tears;
they wrestled hard, as we do now,
with sins and doubts and fears.

 

I ask them whence their victory came:
they, with united breath,
ascribe their conquest to the Lamb,
their triumph to his death.

 

They marked the footsteps that he trod,
his zeal inspired their breast,
and, following their incarnate God,
possess the promised rest.

 

Our glorious Leader claims our praise
for his own pattern given;
while the long cloud of witnesses
show the same path to heaven.

Lamentable Worship

I've really not wanted to blog much since starting at Theological College - there are too many voices babbling away, sharing their ten pennies worth. So before I go on, and simply add more hot air to the interweb, allow me to explain why this blog...

Firstly, this piece today is much more for my friends and colleagues at Ripon College Cuddesdon (RCC) - this is the college I'm training at in preparation for Ordination, which (God willing) will take place next summer - 2017. I hope this piece will be of use to anyone who leads or plans worship...

Within college I have the dubious honour of being one of two worship leaders. It is our responsibility: to pull together the talent and skills from across the college (which we do marginally well); to plan the basic structure for the term's worship, which involves balancing our use of traditional and contemporary styles (which we do less marginally well than the first duty); we help shape patterns and choices through our introduction (or shelving) of certain music/hymns/songs; we encourage people to engage with the college's breadth of style and volume of worship; and finally, we draw upon our (and others') skills to contribute to the weekly 'Worship Rehearsals' where we consider (in 25 minutes) an aspect of our shared community worship life.

This week had been ear-marked for 'Song Bashing', i.e. we were going to have a brisk romp through a few songs we fancied using in future weeks/months, or ensure new material already used was bedding in well.

I was, therefore, less than amused when our Worship Director (the member of staff responsible for the college's Worship life) asked if I would consider how we might encourage students to use more songs of LAMENT or SOCIAL ACTION.

ha!

 

Thanks for that!

Earlier in term I'd led a session on 'choice and variation in Morning Prayer' (we do Common Worship Morning Prayer Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, at 7.30am), and a second session on Hymnody/Song Choices. The second session was really a two-for-one - we tried to do too much in 25 minutes.

And so it proved again tonight - 25 minutes was NEVER going to be long enough to cover all the ground...

SO......

Mindful of what I didn't say, and in an attempt to capture what I did, here are my thoughts on this tricky (if very topical) issue of choosing songs that look to life's harsher realities.

Foundations

Firstly, I encourage people to look at this excellent blog by Bob Kauflin. He's a Worship Leader and theologian I respect working with a team of worship leaders and song writers who ensure they craft songs of depth and substance. Within the blog he explores why we shy away from songs of Lament, and ways to approach the subject. Bob's blog also includes links to three other blogs he's written that include songs he's used. In addition, here's a useful blog by Cardiphonia. This has a host of resources to aid you - I confess I haven't checked them all out...yet!

I think the simplest way to start this topic is to accept that all too often our worship has a tendency to rely on a overly-realized eschatology. Many Christians accept the 'now, but not yet' paradox that life in the here and now presents: we're simultaneously here on earth (now) but citizens of heaven (the not yet). Unfortunately, our worship tends to focus much more on a 'shiny happy people' syndrome which makes over-reaching claims about how much of God and his kingdom has broken out in our lives. Yes - God is faithful and loving, but we have to accept that to the widow, the abused, the marginalised and many many many others their lives are not rosy or happy - and their circumstances do not testify to a loving, kind, faithful God.

Thankfully, we are in good company for the Psalmist has many causes to cry out to God in desperation and anger - WHERE ARE YOU??

Our worship must accept and address these real emotions.

BUT!!!!!!!!!! (and this is a clear warning!)

These songs (the few you can find) are not to be flippantly dropped into a service without a second thought.

For instance, the John Bell and Graham Maule song 'Christ's is the World (A Touching Place)' includes the following verse:

"Feel for the parents who've lost their child,

feel for the women whom men have defiled,

feel for the baby for whom there's no breast,

and feel for the weary who find no rest"

These are not easy words to read, let alone sing, let alone sing if you know somebody for whom these categories are true, let alone if you are one of the people in those categories...

This is NOT a tick box exercise - "Have we included a song of lament in this service?"

No, indeed, we should always ensure that songs like this are coming out of either the theme of the Bible passages we read, the sermon, or perhaps real events going on around us, but we must be pastorally sensitive. Always!

Categories

I would say that you have to be alert to some subtle distinctions too.

Some songs are less lament, and more corporate confession. Other songs don't really do anything more than offer intercessions on behalf of other people. A Lament is defined as 'a passionate expression of grief or sorrow'. So yes, a lament could be on another's behalf, corporate or individual - but the emphasis, I would suggest, is on GRIEF. Songs of Lament in church flies in the face of our espoused HOPE. But it is important these songs are written and sung. There is a place for songs that accept our responsibility - where we confess our sins. The key difference I would suggest is that confessional songs focus on our sin, whereas Lament can be about the sin we feel that has been done to us, or a general sense of God's absence in the face of trials and suffering.

Trials and suffering is the key link to Social Action songs. These appear to fall into one of three broad camps: songs about Acts of Mercy (references to the poor, blind, needy in a general sense, but built upon Jesus' instructions in Matthew 25); songs about Mission (a more settled focus on taking the Word to the 'lost', whatever lost means); and finally songs about Injustice (explicit reference to sin in the world that should be challenged).

I think the last category (Injustice) is the trickiest to approach. In these songs we are deliberately naming the sin and evil around us. This may prompt questions and anger in some congregations. How about these words from 'Inspired by Love and Anger':

'From those forever shackled

to what their wealth can buy,

the fear of lost advantage

provokes the bitter cry,

"Don't query our position!

Don't criticize our wealth!

Don't mention those exploited

by politics and stealth!" '

How easily might these words be sung on a Sunday morning?? They beg a response and prayer - don't they!

Slim Pickings and the final verse pick-me-up

But where to even start...?

There are some songs/hymns about social issues. There are scarcely a handful of genuine songs of lament. There's a fair bit of the confessional stuff I've listed above.

What you tend to find are songs that have blurry edges.

One of my favourite songs in this genre is 'O Lord the Clouds are Gathering' by Graham Kendrick. I've used this song on a few occasions, notably once in Yorkshire not long after the London Riots (which were spreading around the country). The response from the congregation was moving - it had clearly struck a chord. The song addresses sin around us, our choices to ignore God, the horror of war, but the chorus switches to an 'us' mentality. I especially like the use of both the Kyrie Eleison motif ('Have mercy, Lord') but also the quote from Amos 5:24

"But let justice roll on like a river,

righteousness like a never-failing stream"

However, and this is an important facet of virtually all these songs, even when the subject matter is tough and gritty, there is almost always a positive final verse. Theologically, I understand. Most Psalms of Lament have a turn to faithful trust in the final verses, even in the midst of despair.

There is one notable exception: Psalm 88.

Might it be possible to sing any song in church which has an ambiguous or unresolved end?

One that I have found is Stuart Townend's 'We Have Sung Our Songs of Vict'ry', which ends with the chorus:

How long

before you drench the barren land?

How long

before we see your righteous hand?

How long

before your name is lifted high?

How long

before the weeping turns to songs of joy?

There is no happy ending. Yes the final verse declares that we 'know a day is coming'...but they conclude with 'how long?'

Sourcing these songs

So you decide to try out some of these songs, where to start?

In fact, how do you begin to broaden your repertoire in general?

Firstly, do some detective work. Talk to your friends, ask on Facebook. Just in preparing for my session today I asked the community and learnt of three songs I had no idea about. You should also try to visit other churches and try different YouTube/Spotify channels that might expose you to new material.

I've had a long aversion to Taize, but Spotify and the wealth of Taize albums has meant I've had reason to really engage with their catalogue of material - lots of it is beautiful.

Always try to stay open-minded about what you might learn from other traditions.


Secondly, do some homework. Look at the indices of your songbooks.

You should invest in one or two music hymnbooks. At college we use A&M, which is 'Ancient & Modern' (2013) and 'Complete Anglican Hymns Old & New' (2000, although a newer updated version is available). You might prefer 'Hymns for Today's Church' or 'New English Hymnal'. Either way I really do think having access to some old traditional hymnody is a great place to start.

For more contemporary styles you have three broad 'book' choices: SoF which is 'Songs of Fellowship' series (6 volumes), 'The Source' series (4 volumes), and 'Mission Praise' series (2 volumes).

Personally, I have grown to love A&M and SoF. A word of caution though, unless you're really committed to staying 'cutting edge' the very latest SoFs may not be necessary. You know what style suits you, but as a guitarist I trust the chord arrangements in SoF for all songs, especially any hymns they include, which is a lot actually.

Once you've got your book you should look through the indices - you can usually look up songs by Bible Reference and/or Theme.

What you'll notice is how few songs there are under the themes of sorrow, lament, social action, justice, etc.


Thirdly, do some listening.

Okay, you've found a handful of hopeful looking songs - but you don't actually know the tune/song at all.

I have found Spotify and/or YouTube a good place to start to try and locate a song to have a listen.

Or you could use various online portals for support:
For Hymns: Hymnary, Cyberhymnal or Oremus. I've also recently been pointed to Andrew Remillard's YouTube channel which you can search through by Hymn tune name.
For Contemporary: WorshipTogether, Worship Central, weareworship, and Praise Charts.

Have an explore!


Finally, you need to have a sing!

Additional tips

- Don't try and crowbar these songs in, especially the ones with tough lyrics. Be especially sensitive!
- It may be that you find a song and it works well musically but the time is never right - be patient. I've sat on some discoveries for years before I feel the time is right to use a song, etc.
- Always keep in mind the core underlying structures/shape of worship.
Whether you adhere to a loose: gathering-word-prayer-sending out model,
or a more Eucharistic flavoured: processional-confession/absolution/Kyrie-Gloria/praise-readings/acclamations-creed-intercessions-offertory-Sanctus-Agnus Dei-distribution-post-communion/praise-sending out/recessional
finding a suitable spot for a song of lament will be tricky. Some songs about justice would be entirely appropriate around the confession, others the prayers, while others act as great stimuli to get out and walk the walk! Think about where you place these.
- Remember the joy of hymns: you can use a familiar tune with unfamiliar words if the meter works. Here's a blog introducing meter.
- Also, remember to introduce new songs carefully and sensitively! I'll blog about new songs sometime...

Final Comments

This blog has ended up taking an entire evening to write...and probably a long time for you to read it - sorry!!

But this issue is important.

My favourite Psalm is Ps.42. It includes the opening: "As the deer pants for the waters so my soul pants for you, O God." But within a short span you end on the less positive note:

"Why are you so downcast, O my soul?

Why so disturbed within me?

Put your hope in God,

for I will yet praise him,

my Saviour and my God." (v.11)



 

Two verses earlier, "why have you forgotten me?" (v.9)

 

Are we honest with ourselves about where we feel close or distant from God?

 

Good worship is not a result of one service, it is a disposition of the heart, which finds expression in a community. Worship is measured by its fruit - does God get glory, is Jesus lifted up, and do we see a deepening pattern of discipleship. Are we more loving, joyful, peace-ful/peace-making, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle and self-controlled?

 

For these things to happen I think we must be honest and authentic with God - privately and corporately. We do not put a pious veneer on our lives to pretend we're okay. We're called to mourn and weep with those who mourn and weep. And sometimes we are the ones mourning and weeping.

 

I wonder, given the political and emotional climate in the world today, what might happen if we created more opportunities in our worship for our worries, grief, grievances, fear, sorrow, anger and lament. If the world saw Jesus being lifted up, worshipped and praised, the Prince of Peace amidst our honest struggles - would this be the sign of hope the world needs?

 

 

Wake up!

Wake up!

I can think of this phrase being used toward me in two distinct ways. Firstly, my mother shrieking at me – desperately berating me for not getting out of bed sooner, the constant nagging (oft-realised) fear of lateness. I’m reminded of the time my Mum burst into my bedroom at 3.20am (yes…AM) to startle me awake – I’d missed the rendezvous with the school exchange trip leaving for Switzerland. We were due at school for 3am….quickest morning I’ve ever had. Have you ever overslept? Struggled to rouse yourself from deepest recesses blissful slumber? My colleagues and I have to be in chapel for 7.30am each day – the latecomers do not go unnoticed!

Then secondly, I can think of people’s response to my naïve assumptions about the world and its workings. My idealistic naiveté getting in the way of accurate assessment – met with the words, “Wake up, Rolf! Get real!” A real call to understanding and right thinking.

All humans are similarly called in these ways. On the one hand we’re asked to be alert, to be present, to be ‘on time, whilst also being reminded to understand and see things for how they really are. Wilful ignorance is one of the greatest threats to humanity – we allow ourselves to be told, to be spoonfed and be misled. And our diets of consumerism and individualism lead to drowsiness and slumber. We are, if you will, asleep on the backseat while we let someone else drive the car.

This is why the great Advent cry is of such importance to our spiritual (and therefore whole) wellbeing.

Jesus spoke in stark terms about the future of humanity. He painted a bleak, depressing image of the world:

“On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity”, and “your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap.” (Luke 21:25, 34)

When we look at the world today we are immediately struck by the confusion and pain. How do we respond to such ‘reckless hate’ seen in the attacks across the world, the suicide bombers? How do we tackle the threat of violence? With more violence? And what are we protecting? A consumerist madness where we worship sales and bargains and deals? At what further cost, when the leaders of the nations are assembling to consider climate change and the ongoing damage to the environment? Violence. Consumerism. Poor stewardship.

But before we get the impression these ‘evils’ somehow exist outside of us, in the great beyond, out there, in ‘other people’, let us be clear that this same evil that grips the hearts of others, grips us.

We too have angry, rage fuelled thoughts. I get incensed at the slow driver, the poorly organised queue in a coffee shop, the disruption to sleep.

We too are driven by individualism and consumerism. I’m prepared to buy books from a website knowing that its employees are treated as nothing more than cattle – just so I can save a few pounds, or worse, get it sooner. I am willing to dehumanise someone just so I am not inconvenienced?

We too are poor stewards. The food I throw away. The clothes that are replaced. The unethically farmed meat. The heating left on all day. The lights not turned off. The hospitality not gifted. The love not offered.

 

That is why Advent is a penitential season. For it is only when we wake up and see both the state of our hearts and the state of the world that we truly see the need for a Saviour.

Advent is not a make believe season. We don’t pretend to be Jews waiting for their Messiah. It is not a preamble to Christmas – it is the real deal – it is about God working in our lives.

We need a Saviour now!

 

So Advent is most especially about preparing our hearts to hear afresh the wondrous news that God HAS COME. Much like in Lent, where despite knowing we live in the shadow of the cross, we use the time to prepare for a fresh sense of awe and wonder at the mercy and grace God poured out in and through the cross, so Advent must also be a time where we are prepared. We come to acknowledge our desperate brokenness.

And yet, it is also, most profoundly, about an acknowledgement of the world’s brokenness.

This is the root of the cry, ‘Come, Lord Jesus’. We don’t pretend we’re living two thousand years ago, watching and waiting. We look on our 21^st century world and sigh in pain and sorrow.

We try to bring something of God’s Kingdom to those around us. We believe the Kingdom of God is within us, is growing, is glimpsed at in the loving relationships around us.

But, O Lord, we are also painfully aware that God’s Kingdom is not yet here.

 

Advent then forces us to pray, with increasing fervour and intensity, “YOUR KINGDOM COME!”

 

And he will!

 

Jesus speaks about the future return of the Son of Man:
‘²⁵ “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. ²⁶ People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. ²⁷ At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

²⁹ He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. ³⁰ When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. ³¹ Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.” (Luke 21:25-27, 29-31)

These words “concern the true eschatological event, the coming of the Son of Man, which…is the “fulfilment” of the kingdom of God, the moment when God’s rule becomes definitive.” (Johnson, 1991, p.330)

The waiting game though, is hard. The Parable of the faithful and wise manager (Luke 12:42-28) reminds us that one temptation is to ‘beat the servants and to eat and drink and get drunk.” I was profoundly struck when I heard my placement incumbent suggest that the obsession with eating and drinking around Christmas is a form of (false) worship. We are to rejoice and celebrate – but not in and for itself.

Another temptation is to despair – the seed that has fallen but whose life is choked out by life’s worries – the ones who don’t mature (Luke 8:14). Jesus himself says, “³⁴ “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. ³⁵ For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth.” (Luke 21:34f.)

So what are we to do? How are we to use Advent as a time to reflect on our personal need of a Saviour, but also a time to look for God’s return?

Jesus says:

²⁸ When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

Praise God! We are called to worship!

³³ Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

Be Confident! We are promised His continued presence.

³⁶ Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

Watch and pray! We are called to wake up!

 

And yet…let us be reminded of the great Advent prayer: Come, Lord Jesus!

We are not praying that we might be better able to effect God’s kingdom – we look for God to move. This is why the words of Isaiah are so redolent:

“Awake, awake, arm of the Lord,

    clothe yourself with strength!

Awake, as in days gone by,

    as in generations of old.” (Isaiah 51:9)

 

May we all, this Advent, be awoken to worship and prayer.

May we all, this Advent, cry together, “Lord Jesus, Come!”

Me, Advent and Fasting

I've realised that it's no good trying to be profound: it stifles creativity and honesty.

So instead, I'm simply going to start writing about Advent and me. And I'm going to try and be brief. Try.

So it's Thursday 4th December and I've found an enormous freedom this week as I've decided to take more seriously the ancient approach to Advent of abstinence. I had already decided some time ago to do this as I've been growing more and more angry and the commercialisation of the three months leading up to Christmas. To be fair to the church we do try and resist the lure of putting all our eggs in the Christmas basket (despite Easter being the time for baskets and mythical lapine-speaking figures).

The church, however, has long forgotten the full liturgical meaning of Advent, and even those who try to reclaim some of the austere anticipatory character of the season tend to do so in terms of Christmas - it's all about learning why we needed Jesus to come in the first instance, which is a better intention than merely pretending we're Israelites awaiting our Messiah.

Advent is best understood in the urgent prayer: Thy Kingdom Come.

Now yes, this prayer is about the manifest need in our present situations to seek God's rule and reign: in our marriages, relationships, at work, in our churches, and yes in society at large.

But when we use the Paternoster phrase, 'Thy Kingdom Come', we are also joining in that great Advent cry: Come down O Lord! Rend the heavens! It is an excited, feverish cry that God would come and consummate this world and transform it. We are called to look eagerly for that day.

So...in an attempt to clear away some of the personal garbage, to fix my eyes on Jesus, I have sought to fast. And I would that other Christians would more readily use this ancient discipline.

So far I have committed to two fasts:
1. To refrain from Caffeine and Chocolate throughout Advent, and
2. To do a Benedictine Fast on a Wednesday and Friday - to only eat an evening meal.

I have also refrained from Music and background noise on the Wednesday and Friday.

I'm considering a series of other fasts; no media for instance (I wake every morning to depressing news).

Fasting is not a lever we pull to curry favour with God - ha! if only it were that simple. Never forget God already favours us!

No...for me, fasting is an attempt to find the real me, to pull back from unhealthy habits, to develop that oft-missing discipline of self-control, to still the turmoil, to find God. I'm partly grateful by dint of sheer circumstance that Jen (my wife) and I haven't yet done any 'Christmas Shopping', nor put up any decorations/listened to any Christmas music. There is definitely a sense of joy deferred at present, which isn't necessarily pleasant. Furthermore, Jen is 31 weeks pregnant, so perhaps it's not a season to be getting wrapped up in life's externals...

Alongside the lectionary readings, from Revelation and Isaiah this week, there is a need to intentionally look to developing a closer walk with God.

I should say that it's the fifth day of Advent and today's the first day the caffeine-headaches haven't been too bad...I've deliberately embraced herbal teas as an alternative - maybe I'll stick with them post Advent. Fasting costs something...it should.

On Monday I was excited to read an excellent piece in the London Evening Standard about Advent and the need for more delayed gratification. I applaud that piece.

Last Friday I was quite convicted concerning Black Friday, I had been reading Revelation 18 and 19 and there is the plaintive cry: "Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins" (Rev 18:4).

Tonight we read in Matthew 13:1-23 the parable of the Sower (the Seed) and its interpretation.

I just can't help feeling, as I think about my walk with God, that I am all too frequently choked by "the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth" (Matt. 13:22 NIV).

We are so often beguiled by the mega-narratives of our age: what constitutes happiness, what constitutes beauty, what constitutes spirituality...and so often these are false gods.

It is my personal prayer that this Advent, accepting the need to prepare for the feast of Christmas, and the need to remember my need of Christ's first coming, through prayer, fasting and time in God's word I might be come back to my first love (Rev 2:4): that I might Come out and be with God, just as I reinvigorate my cry for God to Come into my life, and come to redeem the world.