46 Years Later: An Advent Message We Still Need to Hear

On this date, December 10, in 1964, Martin Luther King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The United States has come a long way in 46 years, but we still live in a nation and world filled with too much injustice, oppression, poverty, and violence. King's words in his Nobel acceptance speech—which resonate from his deep Christian faith—are a good reminder of the need to live with an active hope and faith so that Christ can be known in the world.

Here are a few of his words from 1964:

"I accept this award with an abiding faith in America and an audacious faith in the future of mankind. I refuse to accept despair as the final response to the ambiguities of history. I refuse to accept the idea that the 'isness' of man's present nature makes him morally incapable of reaching up for the eternal 'oughtness' that forever confronts him. I refuse to accept the idea that man is mere flotsam and jetsom in the river of life, unable to influence the unfolding events which surround him. I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality. . . .

"I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right temporarily defeated is stronger than evil triumphant. I believe that even amid today's mortar bursts and whining bullets, there is still hope for a brighter tomorrow. I believe that wounded justice, lying prostrate on the blood-flowing streets of our nations, can be lifted from this dust of shame to reign supreme among the children of men. I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality and freedom for their spirits. I believe that what self-centered men have torn down men other-centered can build up. I still believe that one day mankind will bow before the altars of God and be crowned triumphant over war and bloodshed, and nonviolent redemptive good will proclaim the rule of the land. 'And the lion and the lamb shall lie down together and every man shall sit under his own vine and fig tree and none shall be afraid.' I still believe that We Shall overcome!"

Now that is an Advent message!

Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly! In the meantime, empower us to proclaim and bear witness to the coming of your kingdom today and always.

Advent: Looking at the "Holidays" from a Different Perspective

How'd you like a $1 million Advent calendar? I was listening to a pod cast of "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me" this evening while walking the dogs. One of the questions was about an Advent calendar on sale at Harrod's in London for $1 million. Seriously? I can't find it online, but I'm guessing this isn't the sort of thing you simply put on your credit card. I mean, what would it cost to ship that?

Given that astounding example on how so many of us in Western culture see (and value) the Christmas season, this video, Advent Conspiracy Promo on YouTube, needs no explanation or extra commentary from me. Click on it and take a look. It's a good reminder of what this season is all about.

Want to learn more? Check out Advent Conspiracy on the web.

(Thanks to the Rev. Annie Thornberg for sending this link to me earlier today.)

E’en So Lord Jesus Quickly Come: Another Advent Begins

This post is adapted from a column I wrote for the December 2010 edition of the Christ Church, Exeter monthly newsletter, "The Anchor"

And so it is Advent, the season of joyful anticipation of the coming of Christ . . . finally!

We need this season, I think, and not simply for the carols and the lights and the trees and the merriment that mark the secular holiday season. We need this season to give us hope in the face of some of the realities of life that could lead us to despair: the young men and women we pray for at Christ Church each Sunday who have died in service to their country in Iraq and Afghanistan;, the brave 6^th grade girl who has endured a stem cell transplant as she fights cancer with the support of her family, parish community, friends, and neighbors; people we know who are out of work and wondering how they will survive when their unemployment benefits run out; and national and global problems that seem too big to solve.

Ironically, it is during this season of deepest darkness in the northern hemisphere that we are invited to look toward the horizon with hope. Advent reminds us that Christ is coming . . . no matter what may be happening in the world or in our lives. Jesus—who was and is and is to come—brings the promise of the future into the present, not so much to fix all that ails our world but to raise our eyes so they can focus beyond today, looking with hope and faith toward the horizon.

When this happens—when we look at the world through the lens of Advent hope—the way we live and the actions we take today are transformed. We are filled with joy and we share that joy with others.

One of my favorite pieces of music during Advent is "E'en so Lord Jesus quickly come" by Paul Manz. The text is an adaptation of Revelation 21:1-4 (adapted by Ruth Manz). This, always, is my prayer for Advent. In the face of darkness and doubt, of uncertainty and isolation, of whatever may be troubling any of us, this is my response.

Peace be to you and grace from him
Who freed us from our sins,
Who loved us all and shed his blood
That we might saved be.

Sing holy, holy to our Lord,
The Lord, Almighty God,
Who was and is and is to come;
Sing holy, holy, Lord!

Rejoice in heaven, all ye that dwell therein,
Rejoice on earth, ye saints below,
For Christ is coming, is coming soon,
For Christ is coming soon!

E'en so, Lord Jesus, quickly come,
And night shall be no more;
They need no light nor lamp nor sun,
For Christ will be their All!

(To truly experience the power of this text, I encourage you to listen to "E'en so Lord Jesus quickly come")