A Promise That Offers Hope

December 3, 2006

Rev. Eddie Smart

Luke 21:25-28 (NRSV)

"There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. ²⁶People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. ²⁷Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in a cloud' with power and great glory. ²⁸Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."

Dr. Andy Lester was one of my favorite professors at Brite. I had the opportunity to be among the last people to read the manuscript of one of his books. We used that manuscript as our primary text in a pastoral care course. When the book was published it was called Hope in Pastoral Care and Counseling. Dr. Lester stressed the importance of not only the past and the present but also the future as one offers pastoral care. We find our hope in our future.

In Latin there are two words for future: Futurus and Adventus. Futurus refers to the unfolding in the future of developments from the past. It is the idea that our future is a direct consequence of our past. Futurus speaks of a good grade on a test that is a result of proper study and preparation.

Adventus points to something coming into our world that could not be anticipated.. There was that hot summer that Diana and I escaped the heat with a vacation in the mountains. There was no way to anticipate our air conditioner at home tripping that breaker and cutting off the electricity to our freezer. The deer that jumps out of nowhere right in front of your car.

Adventus – Advent – a coming or arrival. As we celebrate Advent, we celebrate that which was expected, the coming of the Messiah, and yet that which would prove to be unexpected, a Messiah of love, peace, compassion, and sacrifice.

Advent is full of anticipation. — Advent is a time of expectation. We look forward to the celebration of the Christ Child. We anticipate the birth of Jesus. We expectantly await a new way of relating to our God. Jesus will bring into a world of law, the gift of grace. We welcome hope into our lives. A hope that comes with the birth of a baby. We find hope in the expectations that follow that birth.

Closely tied to this Advent which is the birth of Jesus, is the Advent represented by the return of Jesus. Today’s scripture lesson is speaking of Advent, BUT this Advent is the return of the Christ. And in this Advent we also find hope.

Jesus says, the time will come when “people will faint from fear” because of what is going on in the world. But then Jesus says, “when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

Jesus in coming. Jesus is our redemption, and Jesus is coming again. There will be a second Advent. The Son of Man is coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Our Hope is in that future Advent. Just as our Hope came with the first Advent.

Jesus makes a reference to this future coming in another context. In Matthew’s gospel, this future coming is offered in the context of the Last Supper. In Matthew’s gospel we find words that are familiar to us. When Jesus takes the bread, blesses it, breaks it, and give it. And Jesus takes the wine, blesses it, and gives it to his disciples.

Luke and Paul as they describe this scene relate it to remembrance. As we come to the table we are to remember the past. We are to remember the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

But Matthew has Jesus say, “I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” Matthew would have this sacrament point us to the future. He would have us come to the Lord’s table finding Hope that comes from remembering not only the past, but also a future with Christ in God’s kingdom.

Ann Weems offers us a book of poetry entitled, Kneeling in Bethlehem. She writes, “In each heart lies a Bethlehem, an inn where we must ultimately answer whether there is room or not.” She addresses the distractions that the season brings, and then Ann says, “This Advent, let’s go to Bethlehem and find our kneeling places.” She then asks this question:

What Do I Want For Christmas?

What do I want for Christmas?

I want to kneel in Bethlehem,

the air thick with alleluias,

the angels singing that God is born among us.

In the light of the Star,

I want to see them come,

the wise ones and the humble.

I want to see them come

bearing whatever they treasure

to lay at the feet of him who gives his life.

What do I want for Christmas?

To see in that stable the whole world

kneeling in thanks for a promise kept; new life.

For in his nativity we find ours.

We will never be closer to heaven in this world than kneeling in Bethlehem around a manger, in an old barn, listing to a young mother gentle her newborn son.

      We will never be closer to heaven in this world than kneeling in Bethlehem around a manger EXCEPT, possibly, when we gather about HIS table, remembering and looking to a future full of HOPE.