Advent Sunday Luke 21:25-36 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13

The Kingdom of God is near. That was the message that we heard in previous weeks, when we were moving towards the end of the liturgical year that has just finished. We go in cycles – not circles! – each year, beginning with Advent, when we are looking at how it all began, and ending with Christ the King, when we celebrate Christ on the throne. His work, that he came to perform as the living Word, the Way, the Truth and the Life, is finished. The liturgical years of the Church are reminding us each time of the particular cycle of our salvation history. His story, it has been said, God’s story in his redemption of the world. We don’t repeat everything each year, but we focus on the most important parts of the story, so that we may remember and not forget, and celebrate with joy what God has done for us. So now it is Advent Sunday, the beginning of a new year in the story of God with us.

Advent is a season of expectation and preparation, as the Church looks forward to celebrating the coming (adventus) of Christ as a human being, and also to the final moment when he comes again as judge at the end of time. That is why the readings and liturgies not only point towards Jesus’ birth, but also spur us on to look further ahead to that final moment of his return. When we light the candles of the Advent Wreath, we are reminded of who went before us to proclaim the arrival of the Saviour; a different focus each week. Today we are reminded of the Patriarchs: Abraham, our father in faith, and David, the ancestor in whose city Jesus was born. Reflecting on where we find the roots of our faith is part of the process that Advent takes us through.

The theme of today’s Gospel reading from Luke is the signs of the time. Jesus talks about the ‘signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves’. Metaphors from the natural world, are used to describe the changes that are to take place and that announce the arrival of Christ ‘in the cloud’. The question is how we prepare. If we didn’t already know that Christmas is coming, we’re sure to be reminded by TV commercials and decorations in the shops. So the trimmings of the festival are well-established. It’s fun, too, or it can be if we’re not too busy, to prepare for a celebration, to make the house look nice and anticipate special food and company. In the churches, the carol services will soon be under way. But, with all of that, where is Jesus? If we’re celebrating his birthday, while at the same time anticipating his return in glory and power, where is our guest of honour at the table? There are traditions that keep a seat for him, and make a physical point of reference to his presence. It’s just to say that he is included and the reason for the season in the first place.

In a parable, Jesus tells us to be alert to the changes that are to come as signs of the new season: the fig trees and all the trees that sprout leaves to say that summer is getting near. ‘So, when you see these things,’ he says, ‘you know that your redemption is near’. He also reassures us: ‘Truly I tell you, this generation [this humanity] will not pass away until all things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.'

The present world is full of ‘rumblings’ in all kinds of trouble, near and far. We are told to ‘be alert and to pray’, to hold on to God’s Word become flesh and to trust in the good outcome as Jesus has promised.

Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians points out that giving thanks has a positive effect. Thanking God for all his works, in all circumstances, all the time, helps build up trust, patience and kindness in our hearts. Whenever we see the signs of change and become fearful, let us be reminded of the peace of Christ and rest in it. As Paul says: ‘May he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.’

So, this season of Advent, may you see him in the build up towards Christmas, prepare him room, with thanks, and rejoice. Amen.