Judith Russenberger

Advent 9: a shared path

It is good to be reminded that we are not the only travellers on the road. Some may be moving faster than us, others slower. Either way it is always a good idea to keep an eye out for the wellbeing of others – and especially for wildlife as humankind’s behaviour is decimating the world’s biodiversity.

But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. Luke 10:33-34

If you want to learn, then go and ask the wild animals and the birds, the flowers and the fish. Any of them can tell you what the Lord has done. Every living creature is in the hands of God. Job 12:7-10

Advent 2

8th December 2024

Reflection with readings below

Advent is a season of preparation for Christmas – marking the birth of Christ – and for Christ’s judgement or presence at the end of time (however we may view that, be it of our life span, or that of civilisation or of the earth).

The birth of a child is always special but not all births are surrounded by bliss and serenity. The two gospel accounts of Jesus’ birth suggest that his birth was surrounded by various problematic and unexpected issues – moral dilemmas about paternity, temporary homelessness, the threat of murder, and flight as refugees, for example. And for children around the world today, birth and infancy can be just as problematic with the potential likelihood of poverty, homelessness, war and violence, lack of food and health care, and diverse moral and social obstacles. Just this week we have been hearing how women in Afghanistan will no longer be able to train as midwives.

So why, when we prepare to celebrate Christmas in our churches, do we present an image of birth that is all sweetness and light? Are we short-changing our congregations – and perhaps especially those for whom church going is an annual event – by implying that that is all that Christianity is about – a sweet and sugary message. A message that has nothing to say about the difficulties and short comings that many people and communities face. A message that fails to acknowledge that these are issues that Jesus did and still does care deeply about. The difficulties and shortcomings are the reason why Jesus came as a saviour. He came bringing different ways of being human, different priorities, different ways of relating to God. The wisdom that Jesus still offers – if only we humans would accept it – can bring both peace and justice to our world.

The world is crying out for salvation, for healing, for restoration and renewal. The rules and cultures humanity lives by are not fit-for-purpose. They do not ensure the unfurling of peace and justice for all. We need to making clear that the gospel message of Jesus is one of salvation, of turning around the way we live, of the way we care for one another, of the way we care for not just ourselves but all of creation – of which we are but one small but potential highly destructive part.

People shouldn’t be coming to a church that says everything is perfect and innocent, adorned with twinkling stars and fairy lights. But to a church that says we know we are imperfect and that we live in a variety of imperfect systems, and that many things are wrong in this world. A church that is ready to acknowledge and identify with the suffering and hardships of others – a church that doesn’t look away from unpleasant things pretending the doesn’t exist. A church that can equally be confident in asserting: It doesn’t have to be like this. There is a different way of being and doing. It is the way of God, it is the way of God revealed most acutely in the person and being of Jesus Christ.

Malachi 3:1-4

See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight– indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears?

For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap; he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.

The Song of Zechariah Luke 1: 68-79

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; *
he has come to his people and set them free.

He has raised up for us a mighty saviour, *
born of the house of his servant David.

Through his holy prophets he promised of old,

that he would save us from our enemies, *
from the hands of all who hate us.

He promised to show mercy to our fathers *
and to remember his holy covenant.

This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham, *
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,

Free to worship him without fear, *
holy and righteous in his sight
all the days of our life.

You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, *
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,

To give his people knowledge of salvation *
by the forgiveness of their sins.

In the tender compassion of our God *
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,

To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, *
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Philippians 1:3-11

I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because you hold me in your heart, for all of you share in God’s grace with me, both in my imprisonment and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.

Luke 3:1-6

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah,

“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:

‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight.

Every valley shall be filled,
and every mountain and hill shall be made low,

and the crooked shall be made straight,
and the rough ways made smooth;

and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.'”

Advent 8: Pause for thought

Works of art often prompt thought and question, and thus become signs. Here what seems to be a sign (?), has become a work of art. I wonder what it may be saying to you?

Good people think before they answer, but the wicked speak evil without ever thinking.

Proverbs 15:28

Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this. 2 Timothy 2:7

Advent 7: be prepared to wait

Floods can rise up as if out of nowhere. What seemed like a pleasant country lane can be transformed by raging torrent which it would be foolish to cross. One must either wait patiently for things to calm down or find an alternative route. Noah had to wait more than 200 days whilst the floodwater drained away! Genesis 8:3-12

Be patient and trust the LORD. Don’t let it bother you when all goes well for those who do sinful things. Psalm 37:7

Don’t be angry or furious. Anger can lead to sin. Psalm 37:7-8

Be patient, then, beloved, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer awaits the precious fruit of the soil—how patient he is for the fall and spring rains. James 5:7

Advent 6: some signs assert ownership

This picture was taken in Canton Graubunden in Switzerland. In the local language of Romansch the word ‘god’ means wood or forest. This sign points to a parking place in the wood.

But sometimes it is when we are not looking for God, that God finds us – and God may be found in unexpected places.

“Am I only a God nearby,” declares the LORD, “and not a God far away? Jeremiah 23:23

If I were to climb up to the highest heavens, you would be there. If I were to dig down to the world of the dead you would also be there. Psalm 139:8

The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him. Psalm 24:1

Advent 5: Watch out! bend ahead!

Not all paths are straight, and life is nor always straight forward. Sometimes a change in direction is what we need.

Then the LORD said to me, You have been traveling around this mountain country long enough. Turn northward. Deuteronomy 2:2-3

And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. Matthew 2:12

Advent day 4: I was here

I don’t know how long B Simpson spent here, but long enough – or often enough – to carve their name on a rock. In the stories of Genesis wherever the Israelites encountered God, they would set up a rock to mark the place: I was here; God was here. When we are following an unknown route, it can be reassuring to know that someone else has been that way before .

… hope is like a firm and steady anchor for our souls. In fact, hope reaches behind the curtain and into the most holy place. Jesus has gone there ahead of us… Hebrew 6:19-20a

Advent 3: spot the jam sandwich

If you have been walking in the mountains in Switzerland, you will know to look out for jam sandwiches. These stripes painted on to rocks mark the mountain paths in between the sign posts. They are your confirmation that you are indeed still on the right path.

And whether you turn to the right or turn to the left, your ears will hear a message behind you: “This is the way, walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

Isaiah 52:7

Advent day 2: a positive sign

Circular blue traffic signs in the UK give positive directions. This blue cycle signs instructs users that this route is for cyclists. If you are a cyclist it confirms your right to cycle along the path.

Positive signs are always an encouragement. God knows we need affirmation and encouragement as we journey through life.

“Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight” Isaiah 42: 1a

And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Child, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” Mark 1:11

Advent Day 1: point me in the right direction!

This Advent I am revisiting a series of reflections from a couple of years ago

Thinking of Advent as a season of signs, we might see those signs not as destination boards that confirm where we will end up, nor as a timetable. Rather we might see them as way markers that confirm that we are on the right path. So even if we can’t see our final destination, if we can’t see what’s over the hill or around the next corner, at least we can be certain that we are on the right road.

Whilst having a person on constant standby to point travellers in the right way might be fail proof, it would be unsustainable. Instead we can replace the person with a sign, a sign with arms and perhaps even hands with pointing fingers.

Show me the right path, O LORD; point out the road for me to follow. Psalm 25:4

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” John 14:6a