Sunday, December 12
Isaiah 13:6-13
Psalms 63, 98, and 103
Hebrews 12:18-29
John 3:22-30
“God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:29).
Traditionally, Advent mirrored Lent. It was a 40-day period of prayer and penitence. Priests wore violet robes, liturgies were simpler, and the faithful fasted. Changes came, including shortening the season, but we still have the violet vestments and advent candles (although some churches prefer blue) and the solemn liturgies. People even continue to fast, believe it or not. Ages ago, someone decided that folks needed a little break from all that solemnity, and they got it on the Third Sunday of Advent, known as Gaudete (Latin for “rejoice”) Sunday. We get a similar “break” during Lent (Laetare Sunday). Priests wear rose vestments, and we light that lone pink candle in the Advent wreath to mark the occasion.
Even though traditions change, let’s not forget the original purpose of Advent. Advent is the calm before the storm, so to speak, a time of quiet reflection and spiritual preparation. However, in our culture, Advent has become the storm. The idea of taking a little break during Advent to allow ourselves to be joyous seems downright silly considering the fact that many of us are exhausted from an overdose of Christmas “joy” by the time the Third Sunday of Advent rolls around.
All things are possible with God, and, thankfully, He is ever patient with us. In Chapter 12 of Hebrews (NIV), we’re told of God “…removing of what can be shaken – that is, created things – so that what cannot be shaken may remain.” Further, “…since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our ‘God is a consuming fire.’” That’s what we’re preparing for during Advent, the coming of a kingdom that is not of this world. I like the image of God as a consuming fire, burning in our hearts while at the same time burning up what is not important in our lives, leaving behind that which cannot be shaken - His kingdom.
Evelyn Snow