Waiting
with Expectation
by Brooks
Ramsey
The
Final Chorus of W.H. Auden's "Christmas Oratorio" expresses
the Advent Faith:
Follow him through
the land of unlikeness:
You will see rare beasts and have unique adventures.
Appropriately
he has linked the Advent and Christmas events with the coming of
a new age into the world. It was God's way of introducing the radically
new into human history. The divine is not fixed, static or bound
by the past. God is always in process of making things new.
The
message for us is that we don't have to be content with the world
as it is. The
church calendar calls into consciousness the existence of a world
uninhabited by hatred, greed or violence. We are allowed to dream
of impossibilities. Hope is created that through the power of God's
love revealed in Christ we can expect the coming of a different
kind of Kingdom. The Advent calendar reminds us that we can experience
a world infused with peace, harmony and joy. The Advent faith always
moves us to the future instead of locking us into the past. Therefore,
we can expect surprises.
To
experience the meaning of this Holy Season requires imagination,
a sense of wonder and a willingness to risk in order to become partners
with God in the New Creation. The days of Advent can be an opportunity
for us not only for learning but for experiencing the joy of sharing
in the work God is doing in the world.
By
the way, have you seen any rare beasts lately? And, are you ready
for some unique adventures?
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©2000 Calvary Episcopal Church |
