Advent – Week Two

Last week, I wanted to crawl back into the cocoon of the childhood version of Advent, when both mystical and magical intertwined in the positivity that Jesus would arrive at Midnight liturgy followed by the sleigh bells of Santa.

I vividly recall a conversation with two second graders. One who began with, “You know…Jesus already got born. This is just like a rerun. It has actually happened already.” Followed by her friend who added his wisdom, “Yep and he gets up and grows up and then is the cross — all before Easter vacation.”

I paused for a moment to try to find a quick way to explain both being fully present to the Incarnation and the Resurrection while also trusting in salvation history — both then and now. But, in my pause, they were on to the things of second grade and the playground beckoned them.

A missed teaching opportunity for them — or was it that they were the teachers I needed at that moment…and need even more, right now.

Last week, I stood in the in-between space of birth and death. Three men from three generations, with whom I have journeyed through life, have all found their way to “the other side.” All three men have the common characteristics of being of the kind of human being that touches the lives of others and leaves the receiver changed. You will never read about any of them on the front page. Just the kind of people who were never too busy to help someone in need, who rejoiced in doing unseen actions of great love and who brightened the room by being present. These three men will be mourned in the week ahead, remembered and honored.

And then, three women who carry new life within them, each of them women of great love, deep creativity, intellect and honor that I had the privilege of helping their parents to educate in wisdom, grace and lots of joy. It’s like hearing that I’m going to be a great Aunt again (one of my favorite roles in life).

The Incarnation and the Paschal Mystery blended together in this season of Advent, while we hold the community of Oxford High School in our every breath. While I like to dash back into the cocoon of standing on a chair covered in flour rolling cookies, jabbering away while my mother attempted to keep me occupied so she could run a household of needs, I am reminded that things were not quite as compartmentalized with clarity as I thought they were. I suspect that she labored with the paradox and possibilities, as well.

I find my way back to my two young second grade sages and the mystery they passed along to me. This season is not about recreating as though the events that leave us humming “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” are just happening, but about being present in our own road to Bethlehem — with uncertainty surrounding us, insecurity inviting holding on when letting go is required, and remembering that our story is one of believing in what we cannot see. Refusing to cast off joy as an unwanted guest in the messy story of Advent.

This Advent Week…

We are called to listen to the voice in the wilderness
To heed the possibility in the face of the impossible
We are the ones that now hear the call of the angel
“Do Not Be Afraid”
Silence the digital cacophony that magnifies our hesitation
and magnitizes our attention

In stillness, the serenity of courage grounded in Grace
lets us take the next step into the deep
In the silence, we know that the Innkeeper will be there
and the shepherds will show up when we need them
In the company of those once strangers in our midst
we find the community of believers
and the power far greater than we can ask or imagine

We are called…
To be Advent people