Advent

The four Sundays before Christmas constitute the Advent season, the beginning of the Christian year. These Sundays afford the opportunity to prepare for Christmas by hearing a variety of texts that relate to the birth of Christ. The passages follow the progression of promise, preparation, and fulfillment. They give us a sense of historical, prophetic, and spiritual dimensions of the coming of the Lord. Preaching the lectionary texts in the Advent season provides a rich opportunity for a fuller and more complete understanding of the Christ event.

THE FIRST SUNDAY

Jeremiah 33:14-16

The first Sunday of the Advent season reminds us of the prophetic tradition and the Old Testament idea of covenant. The prophet Jeremiah, speaking in hard times where political and social conditions seemed to indicate the absence of divine presence, called for renewed faith in God and His promises. God is a covenant God; he has made a promise of blessing to His people Israel that remains valid even in the midst of turmoil and chaos. Jeremiah's words:

1. God will fulfill His promises. (vs. 14). The covenant is based in part on the nature of God, a loving and just partner who will not forsake even though His people forsake Him. The divine character had been forgotten by Israel, as they had gone after other gods. Jeremiah reminds that the promise will be kept, and God's people will be blessed.

2. The promises will be fulfilled through the lineage of David (vs. 15) A "righteous branch" will come forth from the Davidic line and re-establish the kingdom, and bring forth justice and righteousness in the land. There was a great hunger among the people for justice and righteousness, the political and economic conditions of the day were so strikingly unjust and corrupt that surely the promise of a strong one who would deliver from these realities was thrilling.

3. Salvation will come to the people in the form of the righteousness of God. (vs. 16). The name the "Lord is our righteousness" implies the deliverance by a great man from the power of unrighteousness. This ruler will be a man of peace, justice, compassion and mercy. He is to be awaited with hope and urgency. Israel waited for such a Messiah, and in the coming of Jesus Christ, God fulfilled that promise. Many failed to see Him because they were looking for a warrior and a conqueror. But Jesus was what God promised-, in His life, death and resurrection, He executes judgement and brings forth righteousness. He conquered the powers that enslave.

Peace and justice do not yet characterize our world. In fact, conditions often seem beyond our control. Vast political and economic problems plague our modern world. Nuclear war threatens our destruction. The deep pessimism that can so quickly engulf us must be confronted with the prophetic words of Jeremiah. God has, and will continue to fulfill His promises; in Jesus Christ the righteousness of God is made known, making hope and peace possible, even in a nuclear age.