Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Nov/84

Contributor - John DeHaan

Title - Advent ... Are You Ready?

Topic - Advent

Gone With The Wind was one of the biggest disappointments I've ever experienced. I don't know what I was expecting when I finally did see it but a let down was inevitable. For the longest time those around me - especially my sisters and mother - had raved about it and built it up. No one expected more from a movie than I did from this one and it would have been impossible to deliver what I had unrealistically anticipated.

How many of us don't have similar feelings about a wide range of life's experiences? Some of these, like seeing a movie or going to a new restaurant, are relatively innocent. With these types of things unfulfilled expectations simply mean we're out some money and time, but rather quickly life returns to normal. Any initial disappointment vanishes or contributes to our forming an opinion about that movie or restaurant. Other of life's experiences are not nearly as innocent when hopes don't materialize as envisioned. A marriage begun with all good intention is dissolved; a child matures but then goes off the deep end; an honest attempt at college fizzles; a new job sours; and the list could go on. It is not my intention to explain the whys and wherefores behind these or any other disappointments except to say that Christmas need not be added to this list as it so often is in our day. It seems that each Christmas season someone writes an article or produces a program having to do with combating holiday melancholia. The hurried pace, over spending, mounting anticipation, too many gatherings, memories or past Christmases, inklings of what the holidays used to feel like in days gone by... No other holiday has more expectations attached to it than this one. The problem is that Christmas cannot help but disappoint us under these circumstances. The things anticipated and the time, money and energy consumed in looking for these are worlds apart from what is offered in the original event of Christmas. The advice and psychologizing treat only one part of this Christmas problem and herein lies the greater tragedy. In the process of helping one cope and be more realistic - which are usually needed - attention is deflected or the subtle message is given that Christmas is celebrated only on one level. What's left unsaid is that more important bit of information that Christmas is a spiritual holiday and must be prepared for accordingly.

The one piece of advice that is ever needed at this time of the year is actually quite simple and it comes in the form of a question. "How might I best prepare for the Messiah?" Ask yourself that question a few times. In the answering of this question the atmosphere and subsequent recovery from Christmas is largely Determined. In stillness and quiet solitude allow the Holy Spirit to bring this citiestion to life. Take stock of where your Fife is presently and ask yourself, "would I be ready for the Prince of Peace?" What would He find in coming? I'm convinced that if the Christian church had this preparation as its driving passion, and everything else fell in line behind it, there would be a great reduction in post-holiday blues, at least as far as the church is concerned. Focus would be more rightly trained on that which lasts long after guests leave, wrapping paper is put away, decorations come down, and the routine of life resumes. Priority would be given to the birth of the Saviour who not only came in the past but who continually comes, and who is continually being birthed, as it were, in every heart that believes and has prepared Him room.

A great deal of what has been said thus far probably rings true in the majority of us. Christmases come and go and there is often a sense that something more lasting might have taken place if only... And yet, unless something specific is done and we try to rectify the situation, chances are another Christmas will creep up on us and nothing will have changed. We're prone to believe that the things God has for us or the spiritual benefits to be gained in this season are obtained with little or no effort on our part. Just as a for instance, how many took seriously what was said above? How many actually sat in stillness before God or honestly plan to with the questions posed there? For some reason preparation like this is alien to us. In the minds of many Christmas just sort of happens. And yet Jesus' birth itself and the original events leading up to it ought to tell us that this just isn't so. Neither the first Christmas nor any one since then (at least if they've been significant) have just simply happened. In Galatians 4:4 we read these familiar words, "But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman . . ." Conditions were right and preparations had been made. It was only 'hen that the earth received its King. It was then that Jesus came.

Something intentional and something planned, here are two characteristics that describe Jesus' coming and, unless they are part of our own anticipation of Christmas itself, we hurt our chances of meeting Him anew. Something intentional and something planned, this also describes the season of the Christian calendar known as Advent. This is the period including the four Sundays preceding Christmas with the first being called Advent Sunday. In the infinite wisdom of God, He has given this added device, this season of preparation, to aid His church in its readiness for Christmas. The thinking of some is perhaps that they are fully capable of this on their own. However, unless one is fairly conscientious and quite determined it is hard to exceed the effects that will be felt in readying oneself by means of and throughout Advent. This doesn't mean that here lies the easy answer to all mediocre Christmases and that (bingo!) now they will all be filled with great significance. After all, apart from the grace and working of the Holy Spirit, a measure of responsibility still lies with the individual to make Advent itself meaningful. However, there is something about intentionally, prayerfully and expectantly giving oneself to the sole theme of Jesus' coming and doing so for a period of this duration that transforms not only the holiday but equips us to receive the Messiah in refreshing new ways.

The Reformed congregation, of which l was a part when growing up, did this by means of Advent wreaths. The evening of the First Sunday of Advent was always a family night and potluck. Evergreen boughs that had been brought to the church would be woven in and around a wire frame wreath which had been purchased from the church at cost or saved from the year prior. Four purple candles representing the four Sundays of Advent and a white one representing Christmas were also purchased at the church and inserted in the wreath (the white one remained in the middle). After the meal each family or individual had joint devotions by going through a prepared mini-service in unison. Each would light the first candle, sing Advent hymns, read appropriately chosen scripture verses, go through a meditation and pray. Each Sunday of Advent had its own little service, including Christmas Day, and the remainder of these were meant to be done at home. Looking back I would say that these little services and the family night at the church are some of my earliest and fondest recollections. I know my brother and sisters and I argued over who would get to light the next candle(s) or who would get to blow them out. I also know the singing around the table wasn't always that good and that our attention span could have been better at times. However, Christmas didn't just simply happen - that's the main point. It was anticipated in a way that is not easy to put into words but which goes beyond merely extra choir practices or Christmas pageant rehearsals. Through the various scripture readings - and there were selections not only for the Sunday Advent services themselves but for every day of the week - it was also impressed on us that the original, historical coming and birth of Christ didn't just simply happen either.

The variety and possibilities during Advent are countless. I have shared only this one from my own past. Another one would be to locate a lectionary (I believe the Reformed church is having its own put together or already has one out - if not there are others to choose from) and use the daily selections for devotions, a focal point of meditation and/or discussion starters. From an educational standpoint alone Advent and its observance is to be recommended. However, if this season is to be preserved and kept from becoming simply another yearly thing that is done out of convention, the idea of our participating in Advent needs to be emphasized when this season returns. And this brings things back to the prior question, "How might I best prepare for the Messiah?" To ask this question in sincerity and with eyes and ears renewed by the Holy Spirit is to already participate in His coming (Advent). It is like putting out a welcome mat for Jesus. To ask this question as a regular part and along side the many advent references in scripture is to open up that many more possibilities for Him to be born, so to speak.

In conclusion, I could not help but wonder where the church would be today if it had always had its priorities attached to this one issue: the coming of Jesus. His coming in the past is important, yes; His coming in the future is important, yes; but I am thinking primarily of His coming today and the conditions under which He comes and meets each one of us here and now. Are you prepared right now as you read? The Messiah is. Advent is today!

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