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Let the things that make for ... (A prayer for advent)*

May the things that make for hate decrease
and the things that make for love increase

May the things that make for war decrease
and the things that make for peace increase

May the things that make for greed decrease
and the things that make for generosity increase

May the things that make for speed decrease
and the things that make for patience increase

May the things that make for fear decrease
and the things that make for welcome increase

May the things that make for poverty decrease
and the things that make for equality increase

May the things that make for loneliness decrease
and the things that make for community increase

May the things that make for slavery decrease
and the things that make for freedom increase

May the things that make for the damage of creation decrease
and things that make for the care of the world increase

May the things that make for indifference and apathy decrease
and the things that make for concern and compassion increase

May the things that make for lies and pretence decrease
and the things that make for truth-telling increase

May the things that make for enmity decrease
and the things that make for friendship and forgiveness increase

May the things that make for death decrease
and the things that make for life increase

May the things that make for sin and evil decrease
and the things that make for the kingdom of God increase

May the things that make for idolatry decrease
and things that make for worship of the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ increase

*inspired by a Walter Brueggemann sermon, 'Outrageous God, Season of Decrease' 

Living in Advent with John

A few weeks ago, I was at a conference in Amsterdam,

where a Baptist theologian named Curtis Freeman

offered some lectures titled ‘Undomesticated Dissent’

which were reflections on what it means for a people whose

story is Baptist, who were birthed in dissent from the status quo,

who refused to conform to the imposition of religion from the state.

Freeman said that Baptists understood dissent to mean

-       a deep suspicion of the powers

-       a fierce conviction of the lordship of Christ

-       a hopeful imagination of God’s coming kingdom

 

I share this because perhaps John the Baptist was the first Baptist.

He was certainly one, like Elijah before him,

who dissented from the accepted order of the world.

When Luke introduces us to the adult John,

he lists the powers of the day –

Casaer, the governor of Judaea Pontius Pilate, the local kings Herod and Philip,

the high priests Annas and Caiaphas

and then he names John son of Zechariah, who was living in the desert (Luke 3.1-2)

Luke’s point is to identify John as God’s alternative ‘power’ in the world,

John is the one to whom the word of God comes.

John is one who expresses deep suspicion of the powers

to the Pharisees and Sadducees he warns them

‘the axe is already at the root of the tree’

and that claiming Abraham as their father will not be enough to save

them, unless they repent (Matt 3.9-10)

 

John is one who expresses a fierce conviction in the kingdom of God

and in the coming one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

John is one who recognizes the Lordship of Jesus –

‘after me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose

sandals I am not fir to carry’ (Matt 3.11)

 

John is one who expresses a hopeful imagination in the kingdom of God.

            His message is get ready for the kingdom of God is coming:

                        a kingdom that will turn the world upside down,

                        a kingdom that will reverse the current course of the world

                        a kingdom with good fruit as its sign.

 

This Advent as we live with John,

allowing him into homes,

as he intrudes into our daily life,

hear his voice of hope, of demand, and of summons,

allow him to make you suspicious of the powers            ,

            whether they be the multiple sentimental Christmas adverts,

            whether they be a politics that wants to lay blame and spread fear;

follow him in sharing and living with the conviction –

                        the certainty and passion – in the power of the coming Christ;

and imagine with hope the coming kingdom

pray for it, long for it, see it, live for it, and even, perhaps like John, be

ready to die for it.

On the 12th day of advent, Jonty gave to me ...

12 days of short(-ish) advent reflections at 25thingsforadvent. Each day. Some really helpful stuff. Today Jonty Langley reflects on waiting without fear. Drop by.

25thingsforadvent and more ...

The last few years it appears we've started taking advent a little more seriously. 

This year sees a number of different online advent resources - e.g. see children society 

In the past, I've organised an advent blog here (lots of good reflections), but this year I'm curating a new mutli-voice advent blog called 25thingsforadvent, starting tomorrow.

There's great stuff at the proost website, especially Si Smith's advent calendar (which we're making use of at church).

Advent Blog continues

Advent blog continues at hopeful imagination ... see Tim's reflection here

Advent blog starts

here today with a fantastic start from Jim

Annual Advent Blog Begins

The annual advent blog begins over at hopeful imagination. Do stop by through the advent season. (Link now fixed.)

Advent 2009 blog

We're running a group advent blog again at hopeful imagination - if you're interested in joining in let me know via the comments at the blog. It will start next week.

Advent blog week 3

My turn to blog again at hopefulimagination. Some great reflections last week from Jim, Catriona, Rowena, James, Ashley and Lucy.

Advent blog week 2

Read some fantastic reflections from the last week from Andy Scott, Andrew Jackson, Nigel Coles, Phil Durrant, Julie and Miriam.