Week Two

Sunday December 8

Isaiah 11:1-2

A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse,

                  and a branch shall grow out of his roots.

         The spirit of the LORD shall rest on him,

                  the spirit of wisdom and understanding,

                  the spirit of counsel and might,

                  the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.

Julian: For all mankind which will be saved by the sweet Incarnation and the Passion of Christ, all is Christ’s humanity, for he is the head, and we are his members, to which members the day and the time are unknown when every passing woe and sorrow will have an end, and everlasting joy and bliss will be fulfilled, which day and time all the company of heaven longs and desires to see. (276)

There is growth during Advent.  Isaiah speaks of a shoot coming out of the stump of Jesse and a branch growing out of that root.  Once more look at the decorations of the Christmas season, the evergreen, a symbol of life and growth.  It is a symbol of the eternal, a shoot and its branches.

Isaiah was a prophet; a man of God called upon for forth telling and his message then is for us today.  God was and still is up to something.  Then it was the promise of a Messiah to come, a shoot from the stump of Jesse, the father of King David.  From that shoot a new branch will grow, something connected to the old deep roots of a tree cut down, yet not the same.

Our growth in Advent can be like a new shoot, a deeper connection to our roots of Christianity, our roots in the nativity.  When Christ was born the world instantly changed. The hope of Isaiah became reality - Emmanuel – God with us.  Now it is our turn to keep the shoot growing in a branch. 

Julian explains we will all be saved because of Christ’s incarnation, and even though we do not know when we will freely join Christ, it will be everlasting joy and bliss.  Advent is our preparation time to celebrate the joy of Christmas, the moment of incarnation.  Keep walking to your moment of joy.

Questions for thought:  As you imagine being present at the incarnation what kind of a “shoot” might you imagine for today’s world?  How could you help the shoot to grow into a branch?


 

Monday December 9

Luke 1:14-16

You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit.  16 He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God.

Julian: “And then I understood that he was to do the greatest labour and the hardest work there is.  He was to be a gardener, digging and ditching and sweating and tuning the soil over and over, and to dig deep down, and to water the plants at the proper time.” (273)

Zechariah received a message from an angel of the Lord.  He was told he would have a son who would be filled with the Holy Spirit.  What an incredible gift for a priest, especially one aged in years without any offspring.  The son would be great in the sight of the Lord and would turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God.  It’s a little too much for Zechariah to take in and he questions how he will know if what the angel says is true.  It’s not good to question God’s messengers!

Zechariah had to wait!  The angel told him about a son who would be born but he had to wait to see what would happen.  The mystery of conception, pregnancy and birth took time to be evident.  Waiting must have been very difficult for a priest who could not speak, could not tell anyone, even his wife, that he knew what was about to happen.

His son, John, would be a gardener for God.  His life was spent working to help people know that Jesus was the Christ, the One.  This man who like Jesus was announced by an angel is not the One, but truly a Holy Spirit filled person.  So Zechariah waited.  His son was born first, his son went out into the wilderness and stood up for what was right and his son’s reward was to baptize the Son of God.  Magnificent!!

We often have to wait, like Zechariah, to see what God will do in our lives.  The waiting can be difficult, especially when we cannot find words to speak about what is in our thoughts or weighing on our heart. That kind of waiting is like Advent, a time of preparation for something we know, yet we are not sure of the reality.  It is a time of preparation for the revealing of the truth of God’s message while at the same time not quite understanding the mystery of our future.

This is why we do not run through Advent.  It is important to walk, taking in all around us and listening to God’s message.  There is still time for the mystery to unfold.

Questions for thought:  What are you waiting for that you cannot speak about to others simply because you do not have the words?  As you wait during Advent, as you prepare, are your preparations for the birth of something new in the world? Perhaps you can listen to the messenger of God and not doubt, but take joy in the reality of God’s word.

Tuesday December 10

Luke 21: 29-33

Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

Julian: “God the blessed Trinity, who is everlasting being, just as he is eternal from without beginning, just so was it in his eternal purpose to create human nature, which fair nature was first prepared for his own Son, the second person; and when he wished, by full agreement of the whole Trinity he created us all once.” (293)

Fig trees are not difficult to grow and if you cut a sprout from a seasoned tree it will produce fruit the first year, no long waiting for the tree to mature. By the time the leaves are showing the fruit is already on the way.  The flowers are rarely seen and small wasps or bees fertilize the tiny flowers. So, when the leaves are seen it is truly a sign of summer.

Advent is preparation for the appearance of God, something we know will happen from the first Sunday in Advent.  The birth of the Christ child is foretold, the Kingdom of God is near. The fruit is already on the way and yet we still must wait to see what will actually happen.

Heaven comes to earth but we are still here, everything has not yet taken place so earth has not passed away.  We wait for God’s word to be fulfilled but we know it is coming.  We know because it already happened and at the same time it will happen.  The fig tree blooms every year, not just once.

Julian understands God’s everlasting nature, eternal from the beginning and present in the Son. That same Trinity is responsible for our creation, our presence on earth, and our life to celebrate the eternal life.

Wait until the Son is born.  Wait until the preparation is complete.  Wait to see the fruit, while watching the leaves uncurl.  Wait for the appearance of God in the baby at the manger.  One day there will be a different celebration; heaven and earth will pass away.  We will have God’s word with us as we join God and the baby, the saviour, in the new heaven and the new earth.  Gloria in excelsis Deo!  

Questions for thought:  The tiny flower of the fig produces luscious fruit, what sort of tiny thing can you do during Advent to produce luscious results?  How do you prepare to see heaven come to earth? 


 

Wednesday December 11

Isaiah 6:1-3

 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lofty; and the hem of his robe filled the temple. Seraphs were in attendance above him; each had six wings: with two they covered their faces, and with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. And one called to another and said:

         “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.”

Julian: “For I saw truly that God does everything, however small it may be, and that nothing is done by chance, but all by God’s prescient wisdom. (197) …His clothing was wide and ample and very handsome, as befits a lord. The color of his clothing was azure blue, most dignified and beautiful.” (271)

The seraphs seem to know exactly what to say and how to act before the throne of God.  They cover themselves while in attendance and at the same time call out to one another, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.”

It may seem right to hide from God and at the same time worship but it will be better to look around at all of God’s glory and say, “Wow, God, you have filled my life with your glory.”   Julian’s vision of God’s clothing is the azure blue robes, wide and ample.  There is no end or beginning and they are handsome.  God’s robes are enough to cover the whole earth.

The whole earth is full of God’s glory.  Look around to see the glory instead of hiding in the shadows.  This is the best time of year to see God’s glory right out in the open.  God’s glory is in the bright lights on a Christmas tree, the voice of a child singing off key in the Christmas play, the ringing of the Salvation Army bell seeking donations, the smell of the pine boughs and the cold of a snowflake.  God’s glory is right in front of us as we go through all the Advent preparations and then it’s over, we pack it up, complaining about all the work, and go right back to normal.

What if…we looked around at all this glory, smelled and remembered the scents, touched the cold of winter and kept God’s glory with us right through Christmas?  What if we kept it alive until next Advent?  Talk about prepare the way of the Lord, that would make a difference in our life, that would make such a difference everyone would see a difference.  That would make God’s glory stand out for us to truly say, “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord, the earth is filled with your glory!”

Keep walking today but take time to see the glory.

Questions: When you look around you what reminds you of God’s glory?  How can you keep it with you for the entire year?

Thursday December 12

Isaiah 7:9b If you do not stand firm in faith you shall not stand at all.

Julian: “And our faith is a power which comes from our natural substance into our sensual soul by the Holy Spirit, in which power all our powers come to us, for without that no man can receive power, for it is nothing else than right understanding with true belief and certain trust in our being, that we are in God and he in us, which we do not see.” (285)

When Isaiah wrote these words the Assyrians had destroyed the Northern Kingdom because the people were overpowered. This is the reality of his political policy to state that faith in God is the only power there is.  That is what keeps us standing.

Julian also realizes this from her vision.  Our faith comes from our understanding of true belief and certain trust in God.  Not is a God we see, but a God we do not see, yet still have perfect faith in the power of God to overcome everything, to provide everything and to care for everything.

While we are walking through Advent there are a lot of distractions.  It is easy to think that if we just make the perfect dinner our family will sit together and all will be calm.  If we purchase the perfect gift the person will love us more and everything will be okay.  If we do this or that then the world around us will change to the way we want it to change.  What does God have to say?  Or is there ever a question for God to consider?

Advent is to prepare for the coming of Christ- that’s it!!! The baby came, but Christ will come again. Advent is our reminder, the bleep on our phone of life, the alarm clock beside our bed or the timer buzzing on the stove.  It is time to be ready, not for the presents of Christmas but for the presence of Christ.  We know with the certainty called faith that God came down at Christmas.  We know with the certainty of faith that God will come again, Christ will come, and the Holy Spirit will be with us.

Faith is our assurance of standing with Christ in the Holy City.  Faith is our admission ticket to live eternally with God the creator and sustainer of life in the world.

Questions: As you slow down to walk through Advent what is God telling you about your own perfect gift?  Are you ready for the presence of Christ in your heart and your home?

 

Friday December 13

Luke 1: 59-66

 59 On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him Zechariah after his father.  60 But his mother said, “No; he is to be called John.”  61 They said to her, “None of your relatives has this name.”  62 Then they began motioning to his father to find out what name he wanted to give him.  63 He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And all of them were amazed.  64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he began to speak, praising God.  65 Fear came over all their neighbors, and all these things were talked about throughout the entire hill country of Judea.  66 All who heard them pondered them and said, “What then will this child become?” For, indeed, the hand of the Lord was with him. (NRSV)

Julian: “Also in this marvelous example I have teaching within me, as it were the beginning of an ABC, whereby I may have some understanding of our Lord’s meaning, for the mysteries of the revelation are hidden in it, even though all the showings are full of mysteries.” (276)

Julian was totally amazed at all she was shown in her vision.  In her understanding of the Lord’s meaning she gained something very basic to teach others about God’s love for humanity and God’s total forgiveness. 

Elizabeth and Zechariah understand God’s meaning for their lives yet there is still a mystery in the knowledge.  After the child is born Elizabeth explains that his name is to be John, not Zechariah, after his father.  The relatives complain and decide to ask Zechariah even though they know he cannot speak, or hear.  Zechariah gets ready to respond and finds he can now speak. God has been there with Zechariah all along and now God is present for Elizabeth and Zechariah as well as the baby John.  Everyone else wondered who the child would become, but Elizabeth and Zechariah knew.  He would become the one to go before the Son of God.  He would become a great prophet, he would be filled with the Holy Spirit and he would turn many people to the Lord.

Sometimes the mystery is filled with greatness, with majesty and glory.  That is exactly what Advent if filled with each day.  We walk closer and closer to the celebration of the birth.  We walk closer and closer to the mystery of the Son of God in our midst.  Then it was a baby to be born and now it is the one who already defeated death so we could have eternal life.

Walk through the mystery of Advent.  Do not be fearful but instead be joyful.  Christ is coming! A mystery that is understandable, as simple as ABC, yet still a mystery.

Questions for thought:  As you walk what is the real mystery to you about Christ?  During Advent can you find a way to make the mystery   as simple as ABC for someone who is too bogged down with trying to figure it all out?

 

Saturday December 14

Psalm 35:1-3

1       Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me;

                  fight against those who fight against me!

2       Take hold of shield and buckler,

                  and rise up to help me!

3       Draw the spear and javelin

                  against my pursuers;

         say to my soul,

                  “I am your salvation.”

Julian: “For we cannot profit by our reason alone, unless we have equally memory and love; nor can we be saved merely because we have in God our natural foundation, unless we have, coming from the same foundation, mercy and grace.” (290)

Getting ready, trying to get everything done, trying to get just the right thing for each person and keep up with all the normal daily items can be stressful.  David asks God to contend with those who contend with him, those who fight against him!  It may seem like that is exactly what is happening when things don’t go our way.

When we feel pushed it is easy to push against another person to make room for our way.  David asks God to rise up and help.  Maybe that is exactly what we need to do too.

Julian reminds us that we must remember the foundation of mercy and grace that are natural to us.  That foundation contains mercy and love for us from the God who loves us enough to send a Son to earth. Perhaps we need to remember that foundational love and mercy the next time someone gets in our way.

Walking through Advent means seeing all that God has done and is doing.  We cannot do that when moving so fast.  Slow down, breathe and find your foundation of memory and love.  Share it with those around you all during Advent; you do not have to wait until Christmas Day.

Questions for thought: Are you moving so fast you think others are the problem right now?  What memory of Advent time is so special you need to slow down and share with another person to help them see Advent through the eyes of God?

Suggestion:  If you have a special memory you may want to post it here to share with those you may not see this Advent.