Meditations During Advent: The World Is About To Turn

Joan Chittister wrote, “The function of Advent is to remind us of what we
are waiting for as we go through life too busy with things that do not matter
to remember the things that do.”

In times of great joy and great despair we are reminded of what matters
and what does not. However, so much of our time we are on automatic. We
are just getting through the day. We are following our routine.

Then something wonderful or awful happens, and we remember how little
we can control. That moves us to turn to God in thanksgiving or in petition.

As the days get darker, we are invited to prepare for the birth of God in
flesh in this world; in this city; in our lives. This means to widen our vision.

The Christmas celebration is not merely about an event in Bethlehem. It’s about what is being born in us and in this world. It’s about rediscovering that the Word becomes Flesh and dwells among us in Black Mountain, NC and in the entire world.

Therefore, what we are waiting for is not under the tree. Nor will it be
delivered by Amazon. We are waiting for God to break in and make the
world right. “O come O come Emmanuel and ransom” Black Mountain. The
holy birth is not a one-time event. God in Christ through the Holy Spirit is
being born every second of every day for those willing to receive.

But every gift has consequences. To be equipped for the work of the
ministry assumes one is about the work, and that work is to be an
instrument God can use to turn the world right side up.

There’s a contemporary version of the Magnificat written by Rory Cooney.

 

Here’s one verse:

 

“Though I am small, my God, my all,

You work great things in me.
And your mercy will last from the depths
Of the past
To the end of the age to be.
Your very name puts the proud to shame,
And those who would for you yearn,
You will show your might, put the strong to flight,
for the world is about to turn.”

 

This Advent let us remember that “what we are waiting for” is for God to
use us to change the world.

 

- The Rt. Rev. Porter Taylor