As you may know, one of my past times is watching children’s movies with my girls. In fact, as I am writing this they are downstairs watching Toy Story—again. We have watched that movie so many times that our family can quote whole scenes. Another movie we have become fond of is The Bee Movie. In one scene, Barry, the bee, is trying to navigate outside of the hive. He encounters the unknown in the human world. One challenge Barry literally “runs into” is a window. He flies right into what he cannot see, falls, gets up, and once again flies into the window, falls, gets up and just keeps on trying. With each attempt he determinedly tells himself, “This time…This time…This time.” We all laugh. The girls laugh because they have figured out a problem which remains a mystery to Barry. I laugh because I see myself in Barry’s repeated trying to achieve something.
In fact, I kind of feel like Barry when it comes to Advent. It is time to prepare for the coming of Christ. I put my all into the preparation and planning of the season. Carefully I construct a theme and sermons for worship, striving for the climactic point of anticipation and hope. Looking always to the celebration of Christmas Eve and the peace of standing in a candlelight service to sing “Silent Night.”
Each year I set out with determination that this year, beyond all other years, fear will be dispelled and peace on earth will be much more of a reality. In fact, it is the living out of the message of hope, the longing for peace, the attempt to practice greater love that guides and fills life all year long. Yet, when Advent arrives again I realize how far short I have fallen. So, at Advent I pick myself up and build determination to try again to come closer to seeing the realm of God come more fully to earth.
Advent is a time for us to see, yes, we have been working toward the Kingdom. It is a time to realize that the goal of the coming of Christ has not been fully realized. It is time to renew our preparation and participation in the work of redemption and peace for which Christ came.
“This time” we will focus on some questions about coming of Christ. In exploring these questions we will be preparing to actively engage and fulfill Christ’s mission through our lives and through our church. We will, with the Prophet Isaiah, ask the question of “When” as we explore the discipline of waiting. We will explore the character of God as we think of the “Who” of Advent. We will focus on the “Why” of the purpose and mission for which Christ came and the mission which was passed to us as followers of Christ. Finally, we will attempt to focus on the “How” as we look at the example of Mary, who through her faithful response moved the story of hope and peace forward.
It is my prayer that through this preparation the Peace and Good Will for which Christ came may become much more of a reality.
Come on, say it with me. “This time, This time, This time.”
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