Sermon, Advent 1

Isa 64.1-9; Ps 80.1-7, 17-19; 1Cor 1.3-9; Mk 13.24-37

        What wonderful introductions we have in the scriptures today! Here we are, the start of the liturgical year (HAPPY NEW YEAR!) and instead of some surface-level sunshine and happiness message, what we get is a little bit deeper.

         Isaiah starts off begging God to come and cleanse all of society: O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, so that the mountains would quake at your presence-- as when fire kindles brushwood and the fire causes water to boil-- to make your name known to your adversaries, so that the nations might tremble at your presence!

         Hmm. Happy New Year!?

         Then we get an even starker message from the Gospel: In those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light, the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.

         Again. Happy New Year!?

         It can feel awkward when at the surface, in our first hearing, these passages seem to be giving us the exact opposite of the Good News that we long to hear. The are full of what sounds like bad news - dark news - and that's not what we want: we get enough about the world full of injustice and greed and sexual assault and violence and hatred and suffering.

         If we're to be honest and self-reflective, we see the darkness in our own lives: we have moments of self-doubt, of self-loathing, of anger, of deep sadness. This darkness infiltrates our lives, our thoughts and words and actions. This then extends beyond ourselves to our families and our communities.

         When we do acknowledge the darkness - and it's a difficult journey, to be sure - then we can realise that the darkness that we feel is uniquely our own. It's based on our experiences, our histories, our emotions. We understand that what is dark to one person may not be darkness at all to another. For example: a glass of wine to one person is a nice treat with dinner; but to an alcoholic it's a hellish temptation. If someone tries something new and it fails: one day that might be an oops, another day it may cause tears of frustration. A disagreement between friends might feel like a simple misunderstanding to one party, and a hate-filled personal attack to the other.

         The darkness in our lives is undeniably real. Left unchecked, darkness will take root in our lives, gradually and subtly increasing, until it becomes our normal. We listen to it. We plan according to that negativity.

         BUT - we don't have to. We can choose to reject the darkness, at any time.  Instead of seeing the darkness as getting stronger, we can see perceive it as a vulnerable and weak force, making a desperate effort in the face of its defeat.

         Here we can acknowledge the darkness for what it is, because we have been brave enough to look into it - to assess it - to determine that we will stand up against it. And how do we stand against the darkness? We shine light. And here's the beautiful thing that we all know about light - it doesn't take much to overcome a lot of darkness. And a little light in a lot of areas can eliminate a substantial amount of darkness, in a very effective manner.

         To continue this analogy: Imagine, if you will, standing in a football field with a birthday candle. Yes, there is some light, but not enough.  Now, imagine that the football stadium is filled with thousands of people - each holding a birthday candle. Much better - much safer - much brighter. Now imagine if all those candles were melted together into a giant candle with multiple wicks - the light would be huge! The collective power of those candles would be enough to light the place - and then some!

         Light: it's a powerful force, to so easily and quickly overcome the darkness. And knowing the depth of the darkness (spiritual or literal) lets us know just how much light is needed (again, spiritually or literally). When we have faced the darkness, we know how much light we need.

         And THIS is the Good News that the scriptures are speaking to us today. Isaiah wants God to break forth into a world that is plagued with darkness - he is begging God to bring LIGHT into the world, to dispel it. The people have sinned, Isaiah says - and they have sinned deeply. So he wants a bursting forth of acknowledgement; a spiritual reality check to inspire these people to return to the light, to return to God. Come to us, Holy One, Isaiah pleads: shine your light into your people so we can learn from our mistakes and live a holier, faithful life.

         This is the description from our Gospel, of how darkness is going to continue to exist. AND - most importantly - that God's people are being given every opportunity, every chance, to start again. Every moment is a new moment for them - for us! - to pay attention to the darkness in our lives and in the world, and to reject it. Keep awake, Jesus says. You don't know the day or the hour when the Son of Man will return. But when that happens, you will want to be living in the light. So, keep awake, acknowledge and reject the darkness, be in the light.

         And this light is the light of the world, the light that the darkness cannot overcome, the light perpetual: this light is Jesus! That is what Paul is writing to the folks at Corinth about. He's encouraging them to live in and by the light of Christ, to remain in the light, to shine the light wherever they go. And to remember, always, that the light which has given them a new start comes only from our faithful God, by whom we were all called into the fellowship of Jesus the Christ.

         THIS is the message of the scriptures. THIS is the Good News of Advent: that we are given a new opportunity to start again - and another opportunity, and another... We are reminded of new beginnings, assured that together we can overcome the darkness - because we are together in shining the light of Christ.

         So as we start this liturgical year together, I pray that the grace of God will shine in your hearts and minds: as we begin our Advent journey of increasing light - as we resolve to intentionally share the light - as we commit and recommit ourselves to longing for the perpetual light of Christ. May we celebrate the deep joy of the new year, seeing the privilege that God has given us to focus on the light. Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved. Happy New Year, indeed.