Advent Reflections – Page 3

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

Advent 24

December 2022

The census at Bethlehem by Peter Bruegel the younger 1605-1610

This is the day before Christmas. For some who are skating, spinning tops, fighting with snowballs or supping beer in the impromptu tavern set up in the hollow of a tree trunk, the holiday has already started. Others are still working. Two men improbably are building a house. For others the ‘shopping’ still has to be completed: sacks of corn and barrels are being loaded and despatched. A couple are carrying there stuff home in two large baskets. Food is being prepared. Two pigs are being butchered – one is blocking the inn door. The inn itself has been taken over by officials who are collecting taxes.

Does this feel like your Christmas Eve?

Nevertheless the Christmas mystery is slipping into the scene. Mary and Joseph are arriving, Mary grasping a wicker basket and sat on a donkey. Whether we are ready or not, God always finds a way into our Christmas.

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.

Luke 1:9,10

‘Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel’,

which means, ‘God is with us.’

Matthew 1:23

Advent 23

December 2022

What an amazing door! I wonder what your front door says about you? Does it suggest a

warm welcome, a place of Christian hospitality?

In many European countries there is a tradition of blessing one’s house on the 6th January when the arrival of the magi is celebrated. The doors or lintels are marked in chalk with the sign of the cross, the year and the letters C M B – Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar or Christus mansionem benedicat, “May Christ bless the house.”

+ 20 + C + M + B + 23 +

Whatever house you enter, first say, “Peace to this house!” Luke 10:5

Advent 22

December 2022

This painting by Camille Pissarro shows a small space outside the door, where a woman is sewing and at her feet a child playing. A couple of cats mouch about. Just inside the door is a second woman also working with her hands. The vine over the door is not yet in leaf, so perhaps this is early spring and the participants are taking the opportunity to enjoy a little sunshine. There is a blurring of the boundary between inside and outside.

Advent is a cold dark time of the year and we may be reluctant to go outside. But why not wrap up warm and make the most of the daylight hours? It can be a wonderful tonic.

The people who walked in darkness

have seen a great light;

those who lived in a land of deep darkness—

on them light has shined. Isaiah 9:2

Advent 21

December 2022

An illustration from A Christmas Carol. Scrooge, about to unlock his front door, is confronted with the image of his deceased partner. This visionary experience continues during the night when he is visited by the spirits of Christmas past, present and yet-to-come, that challenge Scrooge to reconsider how he will celebrate Christmas and how he will relate to his fellow neighbours. Think back over your past celebrations of Christmas. Are there things that stand out is being particularly enjoyable, things that made Christmas special for you or for someone else, things that reflected the love and generosity of God? Are there things you could replicate so that your Christmas celebration reflects that love and generosity of God?

But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate. Luke 15:22-24

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2

Advent 20

December 2022

A change of heart. This illustration by Tasha Tudor is from Frances Hodgson Burnett’s The Secret Garden. It shows the first time that Mary steps inside the secret garden. It is winter and the garden seems devoid of life. The soil is bare and there are no leaves or flowers on the skeletal plants that occupy the space. The coldness of the garden reflects the coldness of Mary’s heart. But over the following months the garden and Mary’s heart are brought back to life and overflow with joy and colour.

What is there within you that is waiting for a little nurturing in order to blossom?

I will give them a heart to know that I am the Lord; and they shall be my people and I will be their God, for they shall return to me with their whole heart. Jeremiah 24:7

So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! 2 Corinthians 5:17

Advent 19

December 2022

A prison door is, I find, a frightening image. It evokes the horror of being shut in – locked up – of not being able to get out. A loss of freedom. Metaphorically I wonder what things imprison us? Or what things, what fears, do we lock away so that we don’t have to face up to them?

Advent is a good time to unlock the prison doors in our lives, to free ourselves from constriction.

I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness,

I have taken you by the hand and kept you;

I have given you as a covenant to the people,

a light to the nations,

to open the eyes that are blind,

to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon,

from the prison those who sit in darkness. Isaiah 42:6-7

Do not fear, for I am with you,

do not be afraid, for I am your God;

I will strengthen you, I will help you,

I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10