The liturgical season of Advent is coming upon us beginning the first Sunday in December. To my knowledge and experience in the SDA church, liturgical seasons are not observed quite the same as in other denominations. I’m also not sure the SDA church follows any set guidance regarding what “season” it is or what you should preach on any given Sabbath (except I think once a year we have a religious liberty Sabbath). If I am incorrect in these assumptions, please forgive me and let me know!
I could see how having a topic schedule might be helpful but also a hindrance. I recall one of the guest Episcopal preachers that came to the church where I work told me she had prepared a talk on the given scripture for the day, however a major crisis happened earlier in the week and she felt impressed to speak about that. She deviated from the lectionary schedule. Since I’ve never been an Episcopalian, I’m not sure if the governing body of that church would have approved or not. I would hope in the aftermath of a crisis such deviance would be understood. However, it made me realize how blessed we are that the Holy Spirit may freely work through those bringing us the message each week and they need not feel hesitant to change topics even at the last moment.
Additionally, I want to share my agreement with Pastor Doug Batchelor when he said that God’s people may be found in every church. Why else would scripture say, “Come out of [Babylon], my people…” (Revelation 18:4)? If all God’s people were already where they were supposed to be why would He call for them to come out? A pastor at a Pentecostal church was inspired to ask Pastor Batchelor to speak at his church! You can read that amazing story of God’s love for all His people in Doug Batchelor’s autobiography. (On a side note, I always appreciate the leading of the Holy Spirit in our church and how our Sabbath School and church service often connect on the same point. Today, we discussed this very topic. I wrote this section last night before ever going to church and had wondered it if was too off topic to include in my writing about Advent. So I guess the answer, according to what happened today, is no… it is not too off topic! Praise God for even the little things that make us aware of His guidance and presence.)
So now, back to Advent. Advent is a season of expectancy, awaiting the birth of Jesus. If we are now living in the second Advent, immediately before Jesus returns to take us home, are we living out a life filled with expectancy? Well right now I expect to be extremely busy at work in the next few weeks. And does all that busyness prepare me for Christmas? Well I guess it helps prepare the people of Trinity or rather it also makes them busier because of all the programs they have going on! Are we so busy “preparing” that we have missed the whole point? Before I came to Trinity I loved Christmas but their events and services leading up to Christmas are so intense that I spend more time at work to get everything done. Therefore, I’ve been upset that I cannot spend more time at home doing the “Christmas” things I loved to do. If nothing else, maybe working at a larger church has taught me that what I loved wasn’t really Jesus but the “preparations.” When Jesus was born, His earthy parents did not decorate with bright lights and fancy doodads, they didn’t spend hours slaving in the kitchen to make enough food to feed all of Bethlehem, they didn’t rush around to different stores buying obligatory gifts to give Him. He was the Gift…and He still is our gift…
My love for Christmas has somewhat changed from when I was a child. Decorating is simpler, cooking is less, and gift buying is fewer both on the giving and receiving end. And lately I’ve wondered if I should save a gift for God as a small thank you for the Gift He has already given me and to each one of you.
If you want to make an Episcopal priest uncomfortable, assuming they are a purest when it comes to following the liturgical seasons, just talk Christmas during the season of Advent. What a blessing we have that we can not just talk, but celebrate the fact that Jesus has already come once and the He will come again, all year long! May joy, peace, and a heightened sense of expectancy be with you this holiday season and throughout the New Year.