4 Advent
Church of the Redeemer, Chestnut Hill
The Rev. Nancy E. Gossling
Luke 1:39-45, (46-55)
Canticle 15
Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Purify our conscience, we pray on this 4th Sunday in Advent, which means that we are asking God to clean up some of our thoughts. We are asking God to help us learn new ways of thinking and speaking and acting, and perhaps even singing.
Truth be told, I’m not always a patient person; and yet waiting is a part of this holy season we call Advent. It is an invitation to take time to prepare ourselves for God's gift to the world, which we call Jesus. As they say, He is the reason for the season! And so we remember a nativity scene in a stable in Bethlehem where Jesus was born because, as the story goes, there was no room in the inn for Mary and Joseph.
We also pray that when Christ comes again he will “find in us a mansion prepared for himself.” So Advent is a time about purifying and preparing ourselves, making room for Jesus, not just for the arrival of baby Jesus on Christmas morning, or for Christmas presents and holiday gatherings, but also for when Jesus comes again in power and great glory. We call this holy time in our lives the second Advent.
Yikes, I thought to myself, in what new and old ways can I purify my thoughts and my actions? How can I prepare myself for the birth of Jesus and the second coming of Christ? More importantly, do I have room in my inn or my mansion for either one? And in truth, would I even want Jesus to come and stay with me? Even if it’s just for a little while!
Maybe, I think to myself, I could make room for baby Jesus; for babies can be cute and cuddly, and especially peaceful when they’re sleeping. But the Son of God, coming in power and great glory, threatening to reverse my well-established life? “Nope,” as my grandson Nathaniel is quick to say. Or “No, thank you,” as his older cousin, Elia, responds more politely.
Imagining myself before the throne of God, I try to justify myself. I tell God that I’ve been a pretty good girl, not naughty but nice. I’ve been a good Christian, a lowly servant, the handmaiden of our Lord, giving my time, talents, and treasure to help others. And yes, I confess, occasionally I’ve had some bad thoughts. I’ve spoken when I should have been silent; and I’ve acted unkindly. But for the most part, I’ve behaved pretty darn well. Just don’t ask any of my family or friends for details!
Mary is 3 months into her pregnancy when she goes to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who is older, perhaps even wiser and maybe more polite, and now six months pregnant herself. The scripture story tells us that Mary traveled to visit her cousin Elizabeth alone. And yet, according to history, travel was dangerous and ill-advised, especially for women during these times. No wonder Mary went “with haste to this Judean town in the hill country;” for fear must have been her constant companion.
I also wonder about Mary’s motivations. Why would she risk her life and that of her baby to visit her cousin? Was she desperate for support, perhaps because Joseph was reconsidering his engagement, or her father was threatening to throw her out? Was she afraid that she might be stoned to death for her illicit pregnancy? Or was she simply looking for someone who would share her experience, her hope, and her joy?
St. Luke writes that there was some singing and loud crying going on, and babies leaping for joy in their wombs. And what's not to adore about all of that? We adore Mary, and the song she sings called The Magnificat, which echoes two other jubilant songs by women in the Bible. The first song was sung by Miriam after the Israelites crossed the Red Sea, and the joy of their liberation and salvation overwhelmed her. The second song was sung by Hannah when she learned that she was pregnant with Samuel despite her advanced years. All three songs tell stories of liberation, adoration, and joy. All three songs magnify their souls as they praise God. All three songs proclaim good news.
Frankly, I confess that occasionally I am a little skeptical of the rosy pictures painted in the Bible. Perhaps succumbing to cynicism, historical realities, or my own personal knowledge, I have periodically questioned the Advent story. To wit, our four gospel stories prepare us differently. St. Mark fast forwards to a grown up Jesus, who is about to be baptized by his cousin John, who is older, questionably wiser, and definitely not more polite.
St. Mark begins his gospel with these words: “The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; telling the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” This prophet is not only John who is preparing us but also Isaiah.
Now, we all know the story of Jesus and how his earthly life doesn’t end well. And yet St. Mark begins his story with the “good news” of Jesus. John claims from the very beginning that Jesus is more powerful than he, the thong of his sandal he is unworthy to untie. So in St. Mark's gospel, we have an Advent Jesus who is coming in power and great glory. No little baby Jesus here. And so we sing our songs of adoration on Christmas eve, as we fall on our knees and remember Him on that Holy Night.
Unlike St. Mark, St. Matthew begins his gospel story with Jesus as a baby, and with these words: “An account of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” St. Matthew is not looking forward to the second coming of Christ but back into history. He claims that Jesus came from good stock, a man whose ancestry goes all the way back to King David and even to Abraham.There is royal lineage in Jesus. He’s a descendent of Abraham, the father of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Jesus is honored by people of all these faiths.
In St. Matthew’s gospel an angel also appears to Joseph, who is a descendent of Jacob, later renamed Israel. The angel tells Joseph not to disgrace Mary; for she carries a child conceived by the Holy Spirit, who will save his people from their sins. This baby will become our King of kings, says St. Matthew, so make sure you honor him with your gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
John’s gospel, the fourth gospel to be written, is very different from the three synoptic gospels by Saints Mark, Matthew, and Luke. St. John starts his story with these words: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” There is no baby, indeed no adult human being, only the incarnate Word of God. There is no singing, no shouting, no leaping for joy by babies. There were no angels, no ancestors, no royalty other than God, only light and darkness.
St. John claims that all things, all life, all creation came through this incarnate Word named Jesus, and that “without him not one thing came into being.” When asked if he was the Messiah, cousin John responded, “Nope. Rather, he came as a witness to testify to this light, so that all might believe through him.” And so St. John invites us to approach every birth, every new life, every messenger, and even every word as a part of God’s message of Love. On Christmas, we are invited to adore Jesus who brought life and light and joy to our world.
Like St. John, St. Luke is known for theologizing the incarnation story. He begins his gospel with these words. “Since many have undertaken to set down an orderly account of the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed on to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, I too decided, after investigating everything carefully from the very first, to write an orderly account for you, so that you may know the truth concerning the things about which you have been instructed.”
And then St. Luke goes on to tell of the births of both cousin John and baby Jesus. Angels appear, people sing, and babies leap for joy. St. Luke also traces Jesus’ lineage, this time all the way back to Adam. Jesus becomes the new First Man, obedient to God’s will even on the cross. Mary becomes the new first woman, surrendering to God’s will in perfect obedience, so that Jesus might be born into our world. Pure Virgin, mother mild, Mary faithfully carries and bears God’s only Son, the future Messiah of all God’s beloved children. Given a choice to say “Nope”, or “No, thank you”, Mary says “Yes” to God. And so too does Jesus.
Have you ever done that? I mean have you ever accepted an invitation in which you wanted to say “Nope” or “No, thank you” but changed your mind and said “Yes” instead? Have you ever wondered how something that appears impossible is eventually accomplished? Have there been times in your own life when, after a long period of darkness like COVID, and impatient waiting like we are now, a light has suddenly or perhaps gradually emerged? A new day dawns, and gestation produces new life? Have you ever responded faithfully, obediently, or perhaps even impulsively, when you’ve said “yes” and then later discovered that you were being prepared for things that you never imagined?
“So what about that room in the inn or the mansion in my own soul?” I ask myself again. And what songs will I sing this Christmas? Casting aside my impatience, skepticism, and cynicism, I listen again to the words of the Magnificat.
I think again about baby Jesus, the Son of God who died on the cross, the Word of God incarnate, and the descendant of Abraham and Adam. Then I pray and ask the Holy Spirit to purify me so that I might praise God with songs of joy. I ask God to scatter my proud thoughts and help me act in the Way of Love. I remember once again that empty rooms can be blessings; indeed they are places for God to plant seeds of new life. And in a reversal of the poverty of my own soul, I discover the riches of God’s grace once again.
Do I have room in my heart for baby Jesus this Christmas? Or the Son of God, who will come again in power and great glory? Yes! I say to God. Yes! I sing with Mary. And maybe I’ll even invite Jesus to stay with me for a little while.
