Some thoughts about Advent and Mark 13.

Happy New Year! Have you made any new year’s resolutions – what do you hope for in the year ahead?

Despite what the shops and media are telling us, it is not Christmas yet. It is Advent – the four Sundays before Christmas. During these weeks we are offered time to reflect on what we hope for as followers of Jesus, and what we look for. Christmas is part of that, but only a part. This is big picture time. Advent is preparing for and celebrating the coming of Christ in history (Christmas) mystery (now) and in majesty (when God’s will be finally done on earth as in heaven). 

As our gospel reading (Mark 13:24-37) picks up one of the themes of the last few weeks in Matthew; actively waiting; and reminds us hoping and looking are not passive activities sitting around wishing. Traditionally in Advent we focus our preparation on the themes of hope, peace, joy, and love. This first Sunday in Advent is a time to ask ourselves where we see God at work bringing hope into our community and our world. More than that, we are invited into active watching, to join in that work of hope building. And hope is one commodity that seems in short supply at the moment. War, the rise of antisemitism and islamophobia, ramping up climate change and biodiversity loss, and the petty and damaging politics of entitlement from our new government can all lead to a loss of hope.

One of my favourite commentators is Matt Skinner. A few years ago he wrote, “The Christ dies, as musician and author Nick Cave puts it, as “the victim of humanity’s lack of imagination.” Let your (living) lead people to see differently -- to see a crucified king and a kingdom growing silently even when the public square appears overrun by blowhards who poison the land with the politics of fear and cruelty.

Advent reminds us to live as if our hopes are realised and the reign of God is among us. Because it is – if not fully. And we need this hope now more than ever.