Advent Reflection

From Anglican Mainstream.

While all agree, that Nicholas of Myra through the centuries has continued to be venerated because of  his example of generosity to those in need, especially children, this is not the only Christian example he offers. Some may not know that  Nicholas attended the first church ecumenical council in 325 held at Nicea to address the heretic priest Arius false teaching. When confronted by the unyielding  heretic Arias, Nicholas slapped him in the face.

Yikes! Engage the meditation.

Why Read the Bible: To Live as People Who Are Prepared

Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

–1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 (NIV)

From today’s passage, we get insight into how God wants us to live. Paul reminds us that history is linear when he speaks of “the times and dates.” He, of course, is referring to the Lord’s Second Coming when history will be culminated and the New Creation ushered in. For the world in general, this will not be a pretty day as God will deal finally and decisively with all the wrongs and evils of the world.  However, for those who have put their whole hope and trust in Christ, this will be a day they can look forward to because it will be the day when they are reunited with their loved ones who have died in Christ and they will get to live in Christ’s direct Presence forever. Does this vision excite you or does it leave you feeling indifferent or depressed? How you react will give you great insight into the state of your faith or lack thereof.

So what are we who are in Christ supposed to do until he returns again? Sit around and gaze at our navels and say to hell with the world, it is evil and wicked anyway? Absolutely not! Instead, as Paul implies here, we are to live each day with anticipation and hope. In practical terms, that means we roll up our sleeves and get busy doing the Lord’s work, whatever it is he calls us to do. It means that we live life as if our just exile has indeed ended, like we really are people who have been redeemed from the slavery to sin  and separation from God. Consequently, we act as best we can, and with the Spirit’s help, like Christ. This means we act with integrity and honesty. We act with transparency. We treat others like they matter and have real worth, like they are Big Shots worthy of our respect and admiration, the kind we usually reserve for those “really important” people like actors and people in high political positions. It means we choose not to take revenge when others wrong us. We choose not to talk about others behind their backs to run them down. Instead, we do everything in our power to mend fences and seek reconciliation, but always with the understanding that it takes two to make an argument. We also choose to hope and pray for their welfare, that they will finally see Christ for who he is and give their lives to him. In other words, it means that we allow God to work in use to help usher in his New Creation.

When we really do this, people will take notice, and not always in a positive way. They will wonder why it is we look out for the welfare of others just as much as we look out for our own welfare. They will wonder why we do not insist on having our own way all the time but at the same time are uncompromising in our core beliefs and values. They will wonder where we get that “something special” and wish they had it. Sadly, there will be those who hate us for behaving this way and who will consequently seek our destruction or at least attempt to make our lives miserable and/or silence us. It is precisely at those times we can take stock and rejoice because we know that we are really denying ourselves, taking up our cross, and following Jesus. In other words, it is precisely during these times that we know we are living as God’s called-out people because we are arousing the ire of this broken and fallen world that hates God and his values. We will also know that we are living as people with real hope because we know the outcome of the story and it turns out very well.

Are you living as a person of hope?