December 23, 2007 Sermon
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Advent 4 - A
Matt. 1:18-25 Emmanuel, San Angelo
December 23, 2007 Allan Conkling
Thomas Merton, quoting the ancient saints of the church once wrote that there are really three Advents, three comings of Christ. The first was when he took on our nature in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The third is the advent which will bring Christ into the world at the end of time. It is the second Advent, the present in which we find ourselves at this very moment--at every moment of our life as wayfarers on the journey of faith.
The best is yet to come...but for these few moments can we still linger here?
Merton writes,
"Every moment of time is a moment of judgment, that Christ is passing by and we are judged by our awareness of his passing. If we join with him and travel with him to the kingdom, the judgment becomes our salvation."
Why would God bother to come among us under such crazy circumstances? Can we, little humans on a tiny little planet circling around a sun in a remote part of the galaxy, be of such immense value to the Creator of the Universe? These are questions I ask myself a lot. I show my love for my kids by spending money on things that will be broken, lost or grown out of in a month or less. God shows us love by giving us eternal life; God gives us boundless gifts that make this life worth living; and God calls us to serve and share those gifts with others. Advent reminds us of God's love.
The readings for this morning draw us into the moment. They are action stories not mere narrative. The Old Testament reading describes a time in the life of ancient Israel which sounds all too familiar. In the midst of warfare, a faltering economy, and the Assyrian army looming at the border, King Ahaz tries to keep up the appearance of strength. Isaiah who has predicted that the nation will eventually fall, challenges Ahaz to imagine God present, right then and there:
"Go ahead. Ask a sign...anything. Let it be as deep or high as heaven."
Ahaz refuses, but Isaiah gives him a sign anyhow:
"Look, right there a young girl is due to give birth. Her son will be called Immanuel."
Immanuel means "God with us". This woman and the son she bears represent the future of the nation.
Years later, in another time of turmoil and uncertainty the author of the Gospel of Matthew took this passage to be proof of God's abiding presence in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. Weaving together accounts of dreams and angels, a man named Joseph and his bride-to-be, Matthew paints a picture of the impossible...the impossible becoming possible.
About this time each year I start to get weary of waiting. I am ready to "get the show on the road." The greenery is up. The poinsettias are ready to be put out. The bulletins are printed. I feel that we have held Christmas off as long as we could. On the other hand, I am also aware that for many this season is not a happy, but a difficult time. For some there will be an empty chair at the table. Some will be sick. Some will be having family problems, or depression, or financial issues or stress. The best is yet to come...but for these few moments we can, we must still linger.
I know that you have heard it all before, but during Advent we are encouraged to reflect upon and prepare our hearts for the greatest gift of all. We have a connection in this life to the One who is from the foundation of the world. For those who are lonely, hurting, or feeling disconnected or jaded by the holiday season there can be a sense of presence and nearness. For us all there is an invitation to be aware of a deeper reality than what we see on the surface. In quiet and confidence God will reveal himself as the one who loves his people and brings his kingdom to flourishing. Can we still our hearts and listen? As we say our prayers, as we come forward for Communion we are not alone. As we walk across the street and invite a neighbor to come to church; as we walk from house to house caroling, the footprints beside our own are God's.
St. Augustine wrote,
"O Lord, the house of my soul is narrow; enlarge it that you may enter in. It is broken down, O repair it! Who shall cleanse it, or to whom shall I cry but to you, O Lord."
Very soon Mary will start going in to labor. Joseph will pace around wringing his hands. Tomorrow night or Wednesday morning we will come to church along with millions throughout the world and sing Joy to the world the Lord has come. Today, with Advent candles alight we sit poised for the light to break into our hearts. Truly the best is yet to come...but for these few moments can we still linger here?
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Revised: 12/24/07