November 29th,
2015 “Advent Survival Guide”
Rev. Heather Jepsen
Luke 21:25-36 with
Jeremiah 33:14-16
Look left, look
right,
look anywhere today,
the time of
Christmas madness
is surely on its
way.
Everyone I know,
seems to be in a
tizzy,
gearing up for a
season
that keeps us more
than busy.
Books and magazines galore,
give tips for this
time of year,
how to keep the
stress level down
how to hold on to
that sense of cheer.
Take a deep breath,
they all seem to
say,
we can get it all
done,
just not in the same
old way.
Don’t make the
dinner,
just buy it,
it’s not bad,
just try it.
Don’t throw a party,
or buy a gift,
forget everyone
it’s a matter of
thrift.
Forget that homemade
scarf
and wrap,
just buy a gift,
right off the rack.
Take it easy,
think of yourself,
let the holidays go,
just leave them on
the shelf.
Over and over I’ve
read,
the Christmas survival
guides,
and I thought the
church could use,
a similar gift at
Advent tide.
Here in the church,
it’s not Christmas
yet,
it’s the season of
advent,
which seems a losing
bet.
While the Christmas
machine,
roars on and on,
we contemplate the
coming,
of the arrival of
the Son.
What is one to say
of the Advent we
look to?
What is the survival
guide
for me and for you?
The gospel of Luke
takes us to places
most dark.
Not the birth of the
Lord,
but the end of our
lark.
Jesus warns us of
signs,
and he warns us of
fear.
The time is surely
coming,
the end is drawing
near.
Folks will cower in
terror,
they will run for
their lives,
the son of man is
coming,
in the biggest
surprise.
As followers we are
called,
to turn away from
fear,
we are called to
look up,
for our savior’s
drawing near.
Jesus says that the
fig tree,
will be the sign,
you can see when it
blossoms,
you will know when
it’s time.
Similarly we
can feel it in our
gut,
the tide of fear is
rising,
but will it be
enough?
Be alert, our Lord
says,
and don’t fall
asleep,
don’t get drunk and
distracted,
a great watch you
must keep.
Ignore all the calls
of fear and of hate,
turn to each other
before it’s too
late.
Be on your guard,
for the time will
surely come,
when hope is born
again,
and the world in
peace made one.
Surely they come,
surely the days,
Jeremiah tell us
that hope is more
than a faze.
The promise will be
fulfilled,
for Israel and Judah
too,
the promise will be
fulfilled,
for me and for you.
The righteous branch
will spring,
from the house of
Jesse,
like the fig tree of
Jesus,
it is a sign we will
all see.
The days are surely
coming
when justice will
rule the earth
the days are surely
coming,
when peace will have
its birth.
This season of
advent
is a season of
longing
a season of hoping
a season of dawning.
The world around us
is alive with a consumerist
hum,
you can buy yourself
peace,
you can take it all
home.
But here in the
church,
in the quiet of now,
we tell a different
story,
of hope in God’s
somehow.
And so my advice,
to survive these
dark days
is to take a deep
breath,
and ignore all the
craze.
Reject hate and
fear,
don’t let terrorists
win,
turn to each other
in love,
let peace on earth
begin.
Don’t be weighed
down
by the worries of
life,
don’t buy into the
fear,
don’t fall prey to
the hype.
Let us look to the
babe,
born so long ago,
let us look to the
future,
a sign of hope let
us show.
As the one candle
shines,
alone in our wreath,
may hope live in our
hearts,
no matter how deep.
Christmas will come,
as sure as we know,
and so will our
Christ,
as in days long ago.
He was born in the
past,
and he will come
again,
he is born in our
hearts,
as we share with
each friend.
This advent time,
may you turn toward
the Lord,
may peace reign in
our lives,
now and forever
more.
Amen.
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