"There will be signs..."
(Guest blogger, Angie Clemens, provides this first advent reflection.)
Often in preparing for Advent, I read through the Advent worship resources provided MC USA and I am ready. I have a clear idea of how my Advent journey will be shaped by a theme or image. This year I again read through the materials, but I didn’t come away ready. Instead, I had questions. Big questions. Disagreements, in fact. I even wrote in one margin, “This is not how I think God works in the world.” So I went to the Bible and, in one morning, read through the whole season’s lectionary texts.
As I read, phrases caught my attention, weaving together from week to week. I made a chart as I went, writing down key phrases and themes – encouragement, warning, seeking, rejoicing, promising, repenting, celebrating. I don’t understand Jesus’ words about signs in the sun, moon, and stars. I don’t know where I stand on the second coming. But I do know the shape of my Advent journey.
Teach us, Lord, a willing spirit, ever seeking what is true.
Seeing, hearing sign and message so that we your will may do.
I invite you to read through the season’s texts. It doesn’t have to take a whole morning, unless you feel like making a chart! What do you hear in a new way? What comforts you? What surprises or challenges you?
Week 1: Psalm 25:1-10, Jeremiah 33:14-16, Luke 21:25-36, 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
Week 2: Malachi 3:1-4, Luke 1:68-79, Luke 3:1-6, Philippians 1:3-11
Week 3: Isaiah 12:1-6, Zephaniah 3:14-20, Luke 3:7-18, Philippians 4: 4-7
Week 4: Psalm 80:1-7, Micah 5:2-5, Luke 1: 39-56, Hebrews 10:5-10
Angie Clemens is a music teacher and a primary worship leader at The Table.