The Meaning of Advent

*During this month you will see a daily posting of Advent devotions. Some of them have been written by me, others by friends who are clergy or laity. The topics range from personal struggle to thoughtful questioning, but all of them are designed to lead each of us into the wonder, mystery and hope of Christmas. This is the opening introduction:

Many of us have heard about Advent, but have never known its purpose or understood its importance. Through these short writings shared by some of our brothers and sisters in Christ, part of the Body of Christ, it is my prayer that we each may recognize a new vision of the hope we have in the birth of a little baby born over 2000 years ago.

The word Advent comes from the Latin word adventus, which means coming. Christians in our community, our denomination, our country, and around the world celebrate the four weeks before Christmas as a time to reflect on and anticipate the “coming” of Christ at Christmas as well as the “coming” of Christ at the end of time. As we prepare for the birth of Christ let us remember God’s great love for us—a love so vast that Christ lived and died as one of us. Preparing for the final coming of Christ is a reminder of the glory and grandeur that we will one day share in the Kingdom of God.

Advent is a time to discern the yearning that runs through the empty places in our souls. It helps us learn to wait in patience for that longing to be filled rather than masking it or deadening it with meaningless activities like wandering through the local mall, standing in front of the open refrigerator or pantry, or sitting frozen in front of the television. Advent is also a time to embrace the silence and stillness in our lives and listen more carefully and see more clearly the movement of the Spirit of God. Finally, Advent is a time to rejoice with hope and anticipation that what we say we believe will, in fact, be revealed in the ordinary and extraordinary moments of our everyday lives.

May you find a glimpse of God’s spirit in these pages and through these words offered up to His glory.

In Christ’s love,
Pat

Giving - thanks

The following is a portion of the sermon I shared this past Sunday with the congregation present at my local church. If any of it sounds familiar, or you think you deserve credit for a portion of it, please contact me. It has been said that a sermon is made up of the study, life, and ideas of the preacher - and everyone s/he has ever heard or read! So, in that perspective - pause, think, be grateful.


“The day is coming when Jesus will come as King to reclaim the world and to judge all that is in it. That day is nearer now than it has ever been before. You can't argue with logic like that can you! When the Son of man comes as King, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. And the people of all the nations will be gathered before him, and he will divide the people into two groups, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put one group on his right and the other on his left.

Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; For I was hungry,

because sometimes I just couldn't make ends meet. After my divorce from my husband and without a high school diploma, I just couldn’t get a job that would pay the rent and put food on the table for my children and save a little for the unexpected. I was usually able to keep us going, but sometimes the money just wouldn’t stretch. Kids grow so quickly! and with the cold weather that came – I just had to buy a coat for my little girl. And wouldn’t you know it, my car wouldn’t start the next morning – the battery was too weak. I managed to hitch a ride from a passing motorist, but I had to buy a new one so I could get to work again – I can’t afford to miss a day of work. By the time I'd paid for the battery, the rent, and for the coat, my whole paycheck was gone and I had nothing left for food. Well a good mother can't starve her children, can she? We had enough food in the house so I could feed the kids’ dinner each night, and I knew that they would be given breakfast and lunch at school, but I hadn't really eaten myself for a few days when you found out what was happening. And then you gave me food. You gave me some boxes and canned goods from your own pantry and some zucchinis you had put up from your own garden. And you didn't make me feel patronized or pitied, you treated me as a friend, as though you reckoned I'd do the same for you, and as though you really enjoyed my company. And you proved that that was true because the next week when I had some money again and I didn't need help, you asked me and the kids over for dinner and you sat and listened to my story. And you shared your story with me. You became my friend instead of just another do-gooder.

“Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; For I was a stranger,

I was lonely. Even though I was living in one of the most populated areas of North Georgia, I knew nobody who cared about me and I had nobody I could really call a friend. I thought my English was passable when I moved here but I found it very hard to understand what people are saying and to follow a conversation. I mean, I couldn't work out what someone meant when he said, "He's country as a bowl of grits." And, “Is he’in yore kin?” or “That dog don't hunt.” I guess there was still a lot I had to learn about the manners in this place. I didn't really know how to make friends here, I didn't understand the sense of humor and I didn't know what to say or how to behave, and that makes you feel pretty uncomfortable. No one wants to know you when you don't fit in and when nobody wants to know you, you never will. But you were different; you offered me your hand and you called me "friend". You were patient with me when I didn't understand things and you took the time to explain and to help me to feel comfortable. You introduced me to your circle of friends and together you gave me time and companionship. You took the time to ask about me and about my home. A few of you helped me with all the paperwork and the immigration department so my family and I could be reunited. You got personally involved instead of leaving it to the professionals. You made it clear that your homes were open to me and together you made me feel loved, accepted and valued; you gave me a people, a family, a home.

“Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; For I was cold

and homeless, because a property development company had bought the trailer park where I lived and several others in the area, and rather than maintain them they had let them fall into ruin until they were ordered to close them down. The developer wanted to demolish them anyway to make way for a new shopping center, and I, along with my girlfriend and our baby and many other people, were evicted. There was no where else for us to go because this was happening all over the area, not enough alternative low cost housing was being provided, people didn’t want “that” kind of development in their neighborhood. But you took a personal interest and found us a spare room until we could find a suitable place to go. Then you, and some of your friends got together and organized a network of people who had spare rooms and could do the same when necessary, and you helped us to deal with real estate agents and landlords so that we could get a small apartment to live in. You put your own reputation on the line when you lobbied the government and the county commission and the developers, calling for them to act quickly to ensure that the supply of low cost housing were maintained so that our story would not be repeated over and over again.

“Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; For I was sick.

I was scared and I was scarred, inside and out. I ran away from my family when I was 12 years old because my daddy had been forcing me to have sex with him since I was eight years old and I couldn't take it any more. But then having got away from that, the only way I could survive was to prostitute myself on the streets of Atlanta to the hundreds of men who are only too willing to part with 20 dollars for half an hour with a pubescent kid. I cringed and screamed inside every time they touched me, but you've got to eat somehow, and you've got to do something to numb the pain. Some people seem to be able to, but soon I couldn't let them touch me with their filthy grasping hands unless I was smacked off my brain, and shooting up ain't cheap so I just had to work more and more. You'd reached out to me before, but I'd turned away; you didn't belong in my world and I was sure I wasn't good enough for yours. But at 19, when I was lying in a bed in Northside Hospital dying of AIDS, you came again, and you sat with me, you talked to me, and you listened to my story, you brought me flowers and told me that you loved me. You could have just given a donation to the hospital or something but you chose to give yourself. No one had ever kissed me before without demanding sex but you kissed me on my cheek without asking anything of me, just to say you cared. And you held my hand and you cried with me and comforted me as I died.

“Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; For I was in prison.

I was arrested and, fair enough, I was guilty but it's scary and lonely in there shut off from the world. But you came and visited me, you made the effort to personally come there to see me. And then you came back with some of your friends, and you all started visiting me and some other prisoners regularly. You helped me to know that there were still some on the outside who cared about me, who respected my human dignity and recognized the image of God in me. And you worked for prison reform and for prison accountability so that I wouldn't just be brutalized by the system and come out worse than I went in.

Then the righteous will answer him,

"Lord, we can remember a lot of hungry people but when did we see you hungry and feed you? When did we see you a stranger and invite you into our circle of friends? When were you evicted and we set you up in a new place? We can remember quite a few people we put up for a week or so but I'm sure we'd remember you if you'd been at our place; I mean, those scars in your hands are pretty distinctive, we wouldn't have forgotten them. And when were you sick and dying? I remember the hospital but I don't remember seeing you there. And when were you in prison and we came to visit you?"

The King will reply, "I tell you the truth, whenever you did this for one of the least important of these brothers and sisters of mine, You did it for me."

Then he will say to those on his left, “You who are cursed, depart from me; Away to the eternal fire that has been prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry

when my simple paycheck didn't go the distance. And you heard about me and you said that people like me should be more responsible with our money and I'd have to wait until I got another check. And that anyway people shouldn't have kids if they can’t afford to care for them, so it was really my own fault and I'd have to live with the consequences of my own irresponsibility.

You who are cursed, depart from me; for I was a stranger

in an unfamiliar land, and you made no effort to understand. You thought that I was just ignorant and rude and that I should learn English if I want to come to this country. You said that people like me were taking jobs away from good, honest, hard working Americans. Besides, you had heard that people from my part of the world were lazy and dishonest, and were responsible for a lot of gang violence in some parts of town and so you were afraid that I'd be a bad influence on your kids so you kept your distance. Nothing I could do was ever likely to help win my way into your circle of friends.

You who are cursed, depart from me; for I was cold and homeless

when the developers evicted me so they could bulldoze the trailer park I lived in to make way for another shopping mall, then you wouldn’t have to drive as far. You said if there was a problem with homelessness, someone should form a committee and do something about it. You had seen people who'd lived in trailer parks before and you thought that they usually weren't very fine people so it was a job for a professional. And the guy who broke into your house last year and took the video and the stereo had been living in a trailer park not far away. You felt that this was not the kind of area to have trailer parks in it and so it was better for the community that they were closed down. Besides, you said, no-one can stand in the way of the market forces, and having trailer parks on prime real estate was such a waste! And you know, that shopping mall sounds like a pretty good investment.

You who are cursed, depart from me; for I was sick,

I was dying of aids. I was a shattered and broken kid who never really had a chance. And the closest you ever came to taking any notice of me was when you wrote to the county commissioners saying that you didn't feel safe to leave your car doors unlocked or walk down the streets any more and that they should do something about keeping prostitutes and drug addicts of the streets. And as for dying of AIDS I guess you figured that it wouldn't be safe to come near me and that anyway it was surely the judgment of God for my sinful lifestyle and I deserved to die alone.

You who are cursed, depart from me; for I was in prison

and did you care? No, you were pleased because you figured that society needed to be protected from people like me. You figured I had to be made to pay for my crimes, and that I needed to be taught a lesson and made an example of. You were a bit worried because the courts seemed to be getting so lenient these days and in no time at all maybe I would be back on the streets. "Doesn't deserve to be treated like a human being, throw away the key," you said, and you wrote to your local congressman to advocate the use of capital punishment.

They also will answer,

"Lord, when did we see you hungry and not feed you? We didn't know, you must have us mixed up with someone else. Well, can you get you something now perhaps? When did we see you lonely and lost in a strange culture? You were Jewish or something weren't you, we figured that the Jewish community was pretty good at looking after their own. When did we see you homeless? I can't remember ever seeing anyone who was homeless, except maybe on the news reports; You weren't one of those kids on the television with the torn jeans and tattoos or something were you? When did we see you sick or in prison and did not visit you? We'd have come for sure if we'd known you were in there. We gave some money to the hospital charity, doesn't that count for something?"

He will reply, "Get away from me, for I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least or the dirtiest or the weirdest or the sickest of these, my brothers and sisters, you did not do for me. You who are cursed, depart from me;. Away to the eternal fire that has been prepared for the devil and his angels."

Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.
~ Matthew 25:31-46

We are given some clear guidelines on what we are called to do as followers of Christ as we seek justice, share mercy, and give generously to the work of God’s kingdom.

So as you sit down this week at your table for Thanksgiving dinner, say thank you for your family – for your children, for your brothers and sisters in Christ, even for your crazy Aunt Beth! Say thank you for the food you are about to eat – for the fried turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, and rolls - even for the creamed peas. Say thank you for your warm homes, your health, your safety, and then get a good night of sleep in your own bed, because there are the least and the lost amongst us and there is work for us to do!

Thinking. Praying.

"Prayer is not conquering God’s reluctance, but taking hold of God’s willingness.” —Phillips Brooks

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Sometimes we approach prayer as if we were trying to wrestle a reluctant God to our way of thinking. Prayer, though, involves much more the process of wrestling with our own reluctance over God’s will and willingness. God has a plan and a will for his Kingdom to come on Earth as it is in Heaven, and prayer is the means of aligning our will to His.

What is God willing to do in and through your life that you have been reluctant toward?

How can you align your will with God’s willingness today?


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"God can pick sense out of a confused prayer." ~Richard Sibbes

Struggling in my confused state of mind to find the words to lift up in prayer. Hear my heart - guide my words Holy Spirit!

"Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes* with sighs too deep for words. And God,* who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit* intercedes for the saints according to the will of God." ~ Romans 8:26-27

Faith ~ Fruit of the Spirit

I’ve spent a lot of time through the years praying for faithfulness. My faith has been tested, refined and strengthened, confirmed and uplifted in that time. And there are a few key points that I have learned along the way that help me identify faithfulness.

The first is: Faith is trusting God in all things and above all things. The big things as well as the little things that make our daily life what it is. You must first have faith that God created the universe and the world we live on, and then you must have faith that God wants to give you His greatest gifts – even when you are not sure what the gift is. I learned this best when I was first married. You see, my husband and I met on a blind date and knew each other for only six weeks before our wedding. It didn’t occur to me that I may have made a fast decision until we were living in L.A. a few weeks after our wedding – and the only person I knew was him! I was ready to go home to my family and familiar surroundings when I found a porcelain figurine in a Christian bookstore. It is a boy and girl with all of their belongings in a wagon and titled “We walk by faith.” For me it was a symbol that God had ordained our marriage.

The second point is: Faith is a choice. It is a gift we are given by God through the Holy Spirit. It is an exercise of the will to trust and believe in God’s promises. Each day we face choices that test our faith. Do we take that roll of tape home from the office? Should I tell the checkout girl she gave me too much change? Faithfulness is also tested through boring, routine, and humbling tasks. We must be prepared to be nobody, so that others can witness God’s purpose and glory. Sometimes the choice is harder. After the death of my brother, Mark, I came home from the funeral and dealing with the immediate needs of family and I fell into a deep abyss of depression and hate. My only way out was making the choice to trust God and believe in His promises. We are able to choose the eternal over the worldly because God gave us His Son Jesus, who died, was buried and is alive. He kept His promise. But it is our choice. And the choice to accept the gift is action done in obedience.

Third point: Faith is a verb. It is a way of living that can only be lived in action. Hebrews 11 is often referred to as the Biblical record of faith. By faith Abel offered his sacrifice to God. By faith Noah built an ark – he had never even seen rain! By faith the people of Israel walked through the Red Sea. Trusting in God. Believing His promises. Faith works. Faith loves. Faith forgives. Faith perseveres. These examples show some kind of movement in relationship with God. And when you have that relationship with God, faith that is alive becomes an action word. We are each able to grow in the direction God is calling us when we walk in faith and obedience. I have heard God’s call to preach His word to the people he brings me to. How in the world am I going to do this? I am not qualified, but I know that God qualifies those He calls and He has placed his faith in me. How can I fail!?!

Fourth point: Faith is lived out as a reflection of God’s character and grace abiding in us. In 2 Timothy 2:13 Paul writes “if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.” When life is beating us and we feel separated from God we are reminded of God’s faithfulness to us. God’s faithfulness is infinite, incomparable, unfailing, everlasting and great. God shows us His faithfulness by keeping His covenant with those who follow Him and surrender to His will. God’s faithfulness is shown to us in the forgiveness of our sins. Isn’t it easy to love others and to be faithful when everyone around you is godly and faithful – and nice? But you can reflect God’s character in you by living out your faith and loving the unlovable. (You know - that cranky, bitter, nasty person in your life – and we all got one of them.)

Faith is trusting God. Faith is a choice. Faith is a verb, is action in relationship. Faith is God abiding in us and through us. God has given us many examples and He included the written directions on how to be faithful. He has also given us the grace and the strength to remain faithful. And through these examples, the written directions, and the gift of the Holy Spirit, we are able to remain faithful and keep the promises we have made as servants of God.

Keep the faith!

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith* our ancestors received approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible." ~ Hebrews 11:1-3

Justice, Mercy & Opportunities!

Wonder how you can live out your faith? Explore these many opportunities!

Faith Communities Responding to Domestic Violence
November 17 | Doubletree Hotel (2061 N Druid Hills Rd, Atlanta)
Religious leaders are frequently the primary contact for support and aid following physical abuse by an intimate partner. On Tuesday, Nov. 17, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. participants in this one-day dialogue with nationally recognized speakers, will build on their own insight and experience as they explore the dynamics of domestic violence, effective responses to victims and abusers, and local resources available to faith communities. Registration is free. Continental breakfast and lunch are provided. Please RSVP by Tuesday, November 10 via email to taylort@gcadv.org or call 404-209-0280 for more information.

Here is another one:

Prison Ministry, Thresholds will provide a two-day training to certify volunteer mentors on consecutive Saturdays, November 14 and 21, 2009, from 8:30-3:00 each day, at Marist School. Thresholds is a structured program using mentors working one-on-one in training prisoners prior to their release in the art of thoughtful decision making. For more information and to apply, contact Jim Powers, Volunteer Coordinator, jfpowers@bellsouth.net or 404-312-2067

You can also check this out:

Visit RaiseMeUp.org to learn more about this national campaign. On the Georgia pages learn how to get involved to help children in our state. You don't have to raise a child to raise them up. You just have to raise your hand and say you'll help.

He has told you, O mortal, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God? ~ Micah 6:8

Busy! Busy! ... Busy?

Found these quotes that describe my life at the moment. Can you relate?

“Beware the barrenness of a busy life.” - Socrates ... and ...

“He who is too busy doing good finds no time to be good.” - Rabindranath Tagore

Then I began to think that maybe that wasn't what I was about, but more about how important the work I have been doing is. Then, I came across these quotes.

“If you're a preacher, you talk for a living, so even if you don't make sense, you learn to make nonsense eloquently.” - Andrew Young ...and...

“Preaching is effective as long as the preacher expects something to happen-not because of the sermon, not even because of the preacher, but because of God.” - John E. Hines

Those started me thinking again. I began to ask myself a few questions. I had to ask, aren't I working all these hours so God can say something to the people He has called me to serve? Do I trust Him enough to listen to what he says to me? Is what I am called to do what my life is for? Do I need to find a balance between what I do - my work, and who I am - my life?

“Among the works of man, which human life is rightly employed in perfecting, the first in importance surely is man himself” - John Stuart Mill ...and...

"Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving." - Albert Einstein

In the midst of all the busy, I found my answers - to life, to purpose, to who I am. Praise God!

"He answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.’" ~ Luke 10:27