Advent and the Mystery of the Incarnation
We began the season of Advent with the power of the Old (First) Testament prophets behind John the Baptist, exhorting us to “Repent,” to turn toward God, to have a change of heart, a change of mind. He was preparing the way for Jesus’ public ministry, but for us in the weeks and days leading to Christmas, John gives us an opportunity to slow down, and ponder his new message, the meaning of the kingdom of heaven coming near. From far off, we look for the power of God coming.
Advent is our slow time of becoming willing to enter into the mystery of the incarnation, of “God is with us,” something beyond words and human concepts, just as Mary did when encountering an angel, and saying yes to God: “Here am I the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Letting go of control, letting go of fear, letting go of needing to understand everything, and letting Holy Being be. “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my savior,” Mary sings.
Joseph did too. He thought he had made up his mind on a compassionate course of action to dismiss Mary quietly when she was “found to be pregnant.” But then he had his own angelic encounter, or inspiration, in a dream. He has a change of mind, a change of heart, and finds the courage to accept responsibility for the one who is coming into the world as a vulnerable child, who will save people from their sins.
Mary and Joseph are given the gift of willingness. Joseph, like Mary, learns that this child is to liberate people from their fears that separate them from a relationship with God, and becomes willing to enter the mystery of the Incarnation. They are given the grace of courage and humility to see things for what they are and act accordingly. They will go on to embrace, nourish, and nurture the child who will grow to be the true embodiment of God’s wholeness of redemptive love and forgiveness. Maybe that is the kin(g)dom of heaven, the presence of God coming near, that John preached.
That is our Advent prayer, that we may turn to, and welcome, that presence of God within us and all around us. We pray that we may prepare room in our hearts for Jesus, God becoming human, so that we may deepen our connection to God’s healing presence in our everyday lives and participate in the very life of God, incarnate in our acts of transforming love and service.
We embrace the quiet and darkness of the remaining days of Advent so that we may find again in meditation and contemplative prayer the truth of Jesus, the embodiment of God’s love, coming into the world. May we find where we need a change of heart, a change of mind, and ask God for that change of direction of our lives. May we walk with Jesus in love and service as one who cultivated a non-violent, holistic, kinship-based culture of compassion. May we build sustainability for the common good of the present and future generations – the commonwealth of Christ.
May we be the church who lives our faith, who always seeks and serves Christ in all persons, loving our neighbors as ourselves, striving for justice and peace among all people, and respecting the dignity of every human being (The Book of Common Prayer, p.305). May our love and service strengthen the community of All Saints’ Parish, connecting the church to the world around us, and to each other. May we be the church who always has more to learn about the mystery of the Incarnation.
—The Rev. Daniel Tamm, Deacon, All Saints’ Parish, Beverly Hills, Advent 2022