CALC Newsletter, Romans 16:25-27, Advent 2023

Advent season this year looks a lot different from those which have come before it. The season once so familiar to us has become a perverse and alien version of itself. What you once remembered as warm drinks, holiday cheer, shopping sprees, Christmas carols, family get-togethers and even special Advent and Christmas services has become a foreclosure on your independent business, the death of a family member or friend, a lost job, and the closing of church doors. In a way, this might be the first proper Advent that the church has observed in a long time. The season of Advent is a season of hope that looks forward to the redemption of our suffering in the joy of Christmas. The rampant commercialism and high standards of living in the west have nearly done away with our concept of suffering, and our hope for redemption along with it.

This year, as we observe Advent for what is perhaps the first time in our lives we look forward to the mystery that is hidden in our suffering and our longing. The mystery of our redemption in Christ. Some times, however, it’s difficult to look beyond what we’re experiencing right now in this present evil age. I read in the Scriptures that Christ has redeemed me from sin, but I still sin, my family and friends are still dying, and life is still hard.

But

In this suffering we find Christ. For the Son of God did not come to defeat sin, suffering, or death but by coming and joining us in it, taking it on Himself, and dying with it to rise again victorious, redeeming those for whom He was born, lived, suffered, and died. The joy of Christmas is not found in the end of suffering, but the beginning of God’s suffering with you and for you. He has joined us in it. He has redeemed it by being born of the virgin Mary into this world of suffering. We are a suffering people, and we have a suffering God.

This Advent, look not the absence of suffering as your hope. Instead, look to the mystery hidden in your suffering, Christ for you. Look to the suffering of Christ as the beginning of your redemption. For God looks with favour upon you, and has blessed you. You will suffer, and in your suffering a Messiah will come. You shall call His name Jesus. And He will gather His sheep into His kingdom and reign over them. But right now, we look forward to His coming as a child. A child, suffering with you, suffering for you, that He might redeem all who suffer.

Lord, this 4th Sunday in Advent we look to you in hopeful expectation. We turn from our suffering unto yours. Your Scriptures have promised that all things find their yes in you. Let our suffering be found there too, Lord. For it is too much to bear. Have mercy upon us, for we are weary and heavy laden. We are yours; save us.