Advent Meditations: Sunday 4 December 2022

Dec 4, 2022 by Jill

Second Sunday of Advent:  The second candle of Advent is the Candle of Peace. It is a word deeply associated with the Advent/ Christmas season as it is one of the values that we hope for. in the coming of Christ,

The words of the prophet Isaiah tells us that his name shall be called the mighty God, “the Prince of Peace. This title should awaken within us as followers deep and abiding expectation for a new order where adversaries become allies and discord becomes concord. As we light the candle of Peace, let us be reminded that this peace is not a gift that comes wrapped in a bod but rather is the fruit of justice and compassion  and these values are accomplished  through the Prince of Peace.

Biblical Meditations: In today’s lessons we consider those taken for the Sunday Eucharist while the Psalms are those appointed for the daily office. At first glance it seems that the promise of the Messiah that Isaiah is portraying is markedly different that the Messiah that Matthew is framing in the Gospel. For Isaiah, he comes as the branch of Jesse, a descendent of David, who is the source of peace and hope. This branch shall have wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge and fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2). So powerful are these virtues that enemies will be at peace with one another. Meanwhile, Matthew has John suggesting that he comes with a winnowing fork and clear out . John the Baptizer talks about a transformation that will come about as well but it is not nearly as inviting as the Old Testament prophets.  For John and Matthew, our hope and renewal demands a radical transformation that finds its basis in repentance as our hope is based in an invitation from God to enter into a new life and not be in that which fails to give life.

Some might ask, which is correct? Well, they both are.

God’s hope transforms the seemingly impossible into reality. Isaiah describes the shoot as having the power to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary, the lion and the lamb, together in peace. The shoot, from the stump of David, grows new, green, and fresh, and brings life, justice and peace to a hurting world. While Isaiah speaks of a new spirit that will bring wisdom, understanding, and justice, John the Baptist talks of a repentance that will produce fruit – that will burn up the chaff and result in something new and life-giving. It is not a question of which image is right as they both are. The question is can we see God’s movement and presence in both realities. A God of compassion and mercy as well as a God who acts with swift justice.

PRAYER : O Jesus, in an empty desert your prophet John proclaimed: God has come to bring about a kingdom where injustice and suffering will be no more, where tears will be wiped away, and where those who turn to God will feast at a banquet. Be with all who struggle and suffer at the hands of an evil and predatory world, and grant strength and wisdom to all who wait for Jesus, that they may find peace in all painful situations and places until the time of eternal peace

Activity : Spend this day quietly reading up on the plight of persecuted  Christians in India Many  live in poverty in the rural areas . They seek fellowship and prayer in Christ. They seek community and are encouraged when  brothers in sisters from America  take the time to pray for them as they seek to be people in a place where the Lion and the Lamb may lie in peace. Go to https://www.opendoorsusa.org/christian-persecution/world-watch-list/india/        and learn more.

ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE: ““We Christians are a peaceful race…for it is not in war, but in peace, that we are trained.” ~ Clement of Alexandria (150 – 214 AD)

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