Sermon for the 30th of Advent - First Sunday of Advent

What on earth were the people who devised the Lectionary, the Church’s pattern of set readings, thinking when they chose today’s Gospel reading from St. Matthew for the First Sunday of Advent?

It’s an uncomfortable read. About not being ready, in contrast to Noah who was prepared for the deluge.

It might also be Jesus prophesying the destruction of the Temple by the Romans in AD70 and the thousands who would die in the years running up to this.

For us, it’s about using the time of Advent to be ready to celebrate the anniversary of the arrival of Jesus into the world and to appreciate the context of God becoming human flesh – our creator becoming one of us. 

Before Chocolate Calendars and the John Lewis Christmas advert heralded Christmas, Christians were encouraged to use Advent to reflect on the “last things”

By which I mean:

Death, judgement, hell and heaven.

Maybe not topics that are likely to fill our churches.

But they are important if we are to put Christmas into its true context

You may have seen in the Weekly Email a link to a talk by Rowan Williams about Advent. 

He sees Advent as a time of hope.

Pondering these last things, “in the here and now” we might recognise we have a choice. 

We can lie a life that focuses on the reality and safety of ME (as in each of us – you and me) with all its self-centeredness

OR we can take to our hearts the gift of the babe in Bethlehem

So:
Death, judgement, hell and heaven

I’ll briefly focus on each and hopefully give you some food for thought. 

Death. Getting back to basics. As humans we are mortal. 

We are organic beings. We owe our bodies to stardust. We pass on the stuff of life to one another.

“Dust thou art and to dust thou shalt return” says the writer of Genesis.

We can’t simply cling to who we are, because we are mortal. 

Jesus said: those who seek to save their life will lose it.

We should let go. And only in letting go do we become alive. 

Judgement. There are terrifying Medieval pictures of people being thrown onto fires. 

When we hear about divine judgement, we might, no doubt, think of such images.
But perhaps we need to think of Divine Judgement in a different way. 

Jesus, by being with us gives us a yardstick.

I wonder how we would feel when called upon, to give an account of our lives in the presence of Jesus.

But remember:

Jesus said: “If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.”

Advent reminds us that we are in the presence of Jesus. 

I wonder if giving an account of our life would lead to self-revelation that is painful.

Perhaps this is how we should think of judgement. Advent is the chance to judge ourselves.

Hell

Advent allows us to confront the reality of Self – the choice of hanging on to the “me” and not letting go OR 

Accepting the reality of God’s inexhaustible love. 

Are we let able to cast away the works of darkness and put on the armour of light?

Perhaps Hell is choosing not to recognise the truth that is in front of us.
Perhaps Hell is not taking up Christ’s offer of having life in abundance.

Rowan Williams links this back to Death, and how the gift of faith enables death to be viewed as a doorway opening onto a new released awareness, allowing us to be at one with God.

So we draw towards the close with Heaven

If we enter the door into the presence of Jesus while we live on earth, we receive heightened awareness of the gift of the Incarnation. The celebration of Christmas is a so much more meaningful gift. 

Thinking of heaven, We accept that we don’t know what exactly happens when we die. 

But while on earth we have a sense that the gift of Holy Communion is a glimpse of the eternal banquet that is Heaven.

And that, we will be included in the pattern of the Holy Trinity and join the ranks of all believers who have gone before us. 

Death, Judgement, Heaven and Hell.

Advent is a rare chance to ponder on these last things.

To chose Truth over Self and Safety.

To better prepare to celebrate the arrival of Jesus on earth.

A focal point in the entire history of the universe.

God with us.  

So get ready!