What sort of Advent is this? (Part 1 of 2)

December 19, 2012

What sort of Advent is this? (Part 1 of 2)

Here I sit only a few days after the horrible incident in Connecticut, with mixed feelings of

pain and joy. I cry for the families who have been hurt by such a tragedy and shed tears of joy that my children are safe with me right now, while all the time asking myself, "What, sort of Advent is this?

For those reading, I will post another blog very soon with our annual Christmas greeting and update, but for today here is Part 1 of some of my reflections that I’ve been sharing with my new fellowship during this Advent season @ New Start.

In the midst of these tears, I'm reflecting on the fact that even though some may say that this is an isolated incident, or that it has to do with a lack of ... whatever, or the need for … whatever, we should know better. I have no intention of diving into the political side of these

issues and pitting wars against one another of what should or should not take place now that such a tragedy hits so close to our Western American home. Instead, I blog out of reflection and contemplation and am reminded of a world much bigger than the USA and that truly is blanketed in darkness. Or as Henri Nouwen might say, "[is] where joy and sorrow kiss each other at every moment".

Incidents like this happen all to often. Does that make the tragedy in Connecticut any less horrific? Absolutely not! However, we live in a world filled with darkness. For instance, the children killed just days ago in Afghanistan, the people (including children) recently stabbed to death in China, people shot dead in theaters, or from a far by snipers in DC. Gangster drive-byes, genocides, and the hundreds of children sold into slavery, prostitution, or forced to be child soldiers daily, and dare I fail to mention those blown up because of the causalities of daily wars . . . We could then mention the thousands upon thousands of children who face abuse (physical or mental) and/or abandonment as well by self-absorbed parents and/or guardians. And this does not even touch on the thousands living in poverty, homeless, or the growing gap globally that exists between the rich and poor of the earth. Simply, we live in a very selfish and yes, dark and confusing world. It’s in sorrow and as mentioned earlier, kissed with joy, I reflect upon our world in such a season as this.

As a Christian who believes in a narrative of a good God, I believe that this good God cares

and loves this world. Scripture teaches, "God so LOVED the WORLD...” He cared so deeply that, he not only created but "advented" (came) among us and dwelt as us, as a human. He suffered as we suffer, and even more. And this is a God who became human at a very dark time.

The Word that created became flesh at a time surrounded in terror by an empire seeking never-ending power by brutal force. This was a time when the Word – Jesus- most likely ended up in a elementary class with no male boys due to genocide and a time when his parents had to flee the country as refugees. It was a time when people were imprisoned for their faith or unacceptable religious faith. A time when systems inhibited people to live healthy lives due to their status. And a time when labels were placed on people to identify who was acceptable and who was not. This was a time when people were executed if they threatened the way things should be. And such a threat was the man, the lover of the world, Jesus the Nazarene.

I nonetheless believe in a good God who cared so much to send us Jesus, whom throughout his entire life and ministry continued to point everything he said or did, back to this good God. I also believe in one who still cares, who still comes, the One who does not take on some attribute of love but who is love. Or as Carlo Carretto so poetically says,

"God is always coming, and we, like Adam, hear His footsteps. God is always coming because He is life, and life has the unbridled force of creation. God comes because He is light, and light may not remain hidden. God comes because He is love, and love needs to give of itself. God has always been coming; God is always coming. "

I therefore, celebrate most enthusiastically during this Advent season in the midst of darkness, - an Advent not so unfamiliar to our Lord Jesus - with tears of sorrow and tears of joy, hope, love and peace, because He knows and His light can pierce any darkness . . .