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Advent Reckoning
‘I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand.’
As we begin the second week of Advent, we read of an ironic gift. In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus promises that his followers will be given wisdom in the face of adversity. This promise confronts the harsh words from other biblical lessons for this day. Amos warns those among us who cherish their comforts. Their lives will be challenged. 2 Thessalonians speaks bluntly of “the righteous judgment of God.” How can we anticipate God’s promised gift when divine judgment hangs over our heads? Thus, how can we be hopeful when the world is embroiled in conflict?
Advent is the season of promise as we await the birth of the Christ child. We cannot be passive. The path to Christ’s birth veers toward our own moral reckoning. The Bible challenges us to look honestly at who we are and how we live. “Woe to those who are at ease in Zion,” Amos declares. However, we must not be undone by such strong words. Paul’s mention of judgment in 2 Thessalonians is a call to become worthy of God’s kingdom. We must face a needed awakening of faith.
“Wisdom” is the key, as Luke 21 declares. This is not knowledge or information. Wisdom means insight, literally seeing within life’s realities. In Advent we prepare for new birth by discovering that we can see, and living as never before. We can see what God does to bring new life and we can become part of it.
Then the Psalms appointed for this day make sense. They are filled with praise for God’s wondrous works. May we add our own words of praise, drawn from the divine wisdom that fosters new birth.
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