Tyndale Chapel Podcast

GEORGE SWEETMAN: Let me begin with a passage from Scripture, "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. For those who lived in the land of deep shadows, light, sunbursts of light."

This past Sunday, the season of Advent, began, my daughter in law told me a couple of weeks ago that although she grew up in the church, it wasn't until she came to Tyndale that she knew anything about Advent at all. And to be honest, that's a little bit like me. I grew up in a church community that didn't pay much attention to Advent. Sure, there was often an Advent wreath at the front of the sanctuary, but not always. There was always an eager child ready to play with fire, lighting one or several candles, depending on the week. But no one really explained what the candles meant; hope, peace, joy, love, or why one was pink and the others purple, symbolic of Christ's royalty. No one told me how the light slowly increases as each week's candle is lit; or how the Christ candle, fired with unutterable joy on Christmas Day, proves a glowing and growing radiance, pointing us to Jesus Himself.

We also really never talked about Advent songs. Songs of expectancy, songs like, "Oh Come, Oh Come Emmanuel" or "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus". Instead, we'd launch right into "Silent Night" and "Joy to the World". Nor was I taught that Advent holds before us three holy comings or arrivals, what Advent means, all collapsed into one great anticipation. One that looks back to the first coming to ancient Israel, longing for her promised King. One that is rooted in the present, our own waiting and trusting in the midst of turmoil and darkness; an arrival that is enlivened by the Holy Spirit Himself. And one arrival that points to the future, Christ's promised return when His kingdom will be fully revealed and all manner of things shall be well.

It wasn't until about 30 years ago for me that the wonder of the church year, liturgical seasons and the marking of Advent, Christmas tide and the Epiphany began to sink in, but I'm so grateful that it did. It was through an invitation of a humble teacher that I was ushered into these traditions, and in turn, they have given me a greater and deeper understanding of the depth of the mystery of the Incarnation, the astounding truth that the Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood. Our neighborhood, my neighborhood, my home. I'm sure this is true for most of you.

Christmas has always carried a kind of magic for me, familiar songs from Bing to Andy to Handel; the twinkling trees surrounded by iridescently wrapped gifts; huge dinners with family and friends, replete with Christmas crackers and pudding; holly and ivy woven into wreaths and lights dancing on freshly fallen snow. But as Advent took me in, that magic became something more, a deeper enchantment. I'm reminded of the centuries of Israel's waiting a jary, donkey ride, donkey ride, the no vacancy sign. Then I reflected on the trembling expectancy for those who first followed Jesus; the promises, the hope, and yes, the confusion. And now my own anticipation grows as I learn to wait patiently in the midst of His already, but not yet reign; to trust that a luminous light has pierced the blackened night and its darkness cannot overcome it. And my joy brims as I dwell on the assurance that He will return and next time it's for keeps.

Throughout this fall's community chapel, we've been asking what it means to hold on to hope in chaotic times, hope in the waiting. For many of us today, it's hard to wait, because we are in the midst of our own chaos, aren't we? Papers to submit, finals to write, travel plans to manage, sad goodbyes, hysterical hellos, last minute dashing through the snow covered parking lots. But what if we really leaned into Advent this year? Over the next 23 days, do something that doesn't compute? Something that gives a thrill of hope, that a weary world rejoices? What if we were to wait and rest? Really rest, because I think Advent is kairos time. Immeasurable, pregnant with fulfillment, saturated with God's presence. It invites us to remember God Jesus' first coming, to note that He is with us today by the Spirit's faithful presence and guidance, and to hope with confidence that He will come again.

So during this season, play, yes, but also pray. Feast, of course, but also fast. Receive, gratefully, but also give, perhaps to those who have so very little. Let yourself wait with wonder. Let the growing light meet you. Let Advent do its quiet, radiant work in you, because Christ has died, Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

SPEAKER 1: The Old Testament reading of the promise foretold in the prophecy of Isaiah, "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." The New Testament, reading of the promise fulfilled in the Gospel of Luke, "In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should take, should be taken, of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth, Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them."

SPEAKER 2: Promise foretold in the prophecy of Isaiah, "Prepare the way for the people. Build up, build up the highway! Remove the stones. Raise a banner for the nations. The Lord has made proclamation to the ends of the earth: 'Say to daughter Zion, 'See, your Savior comes! See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him.'' They will be called the Holy People, the Redeemed of the Lord; and you will be called Sought After, the City No Longer Deserted." The promise fulfilled in the Gospel of Luke, "And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

SPEAKER 3: Of the promise foretold in the prophecy of Isaiah, "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, 'Your God reigns!' Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices; together they shout for joy. When the Lord returns to Zion, they will see it with their own eyes. Burst into songs of joy together, you ruins of Jerusalem, for the Lord has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem. The Lord will lay bare his holy arm in the sight of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God." The New Testament, reading of the promise fulfilled in the Gospel of Luke, "Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."

DR. KEN MICHELL: Together, they shout for joy. I can invite you to stand as we sing.

SPEAKER 4: The Old Testament reading of the promise foretold in the prophecy of Isaiah, "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this." The New Testament, reading of the promise fulfilled in The Gospel of Luke,, "When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.' So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told."

MARJORY KERR: Good morning everyone and thank you for coming and being part of our Advent chapel this morning, and for everyone who has participated in this time of worship and engaged with us this morning. As you know, this is our final community chapel for this semester. The next time we gather, it will be in January to gather in this way for a new year and a new semester. But today comes, as we approach the end of a semester and a year.

When many gathered here or online are probably tired; perhaps a bit anxious about exams and final papers; maybe struggling with the beginning, middle or end of whichever version of the cold or flu you've been experiencing as it goes around. There may be many things that need to be done before you feel you can even really begin to think about Advent and Christmas. And yet, here we are in an Advent chapel. In our busyness, God intercepts our tired minds and bodies with His call to Advent. In our busyness God meets us here and now with the promise of hope in this first week of Advent. Hope for the future, yes, also hope for this moment and hope for the next few weeks. In our busyness, God calls us to come and see, in echo of the shepherd's decision to go to Bethlehem to see what they had been told by the angels. And our prayer is that this will be your experience at Christmas, and always.

Pray with me now. Father God, we are amazed as we reflect on this season of Advent, the evidence of Your astonishing love for each person. I pray for this community during these busy last few weeks of the semester. Be with our students, assure them of Your presence and help them in their studies so that they are able to finish as well as they can. I pray for our staff and faculty, who are also in the flurry of activity that comes with the end of the semester and the approaching end of the calendar year. Father, keep us safe and keep us in your care. Open our minds and hearts to see this Advent season and Christmas for what it is: hope, peace, faith, and joy through Your gift of Jesus, Your announcement that we are all included in this gift, Your assurance that You are near, and Your invitation to come and see. And let us respond simply by giving our hearts and minds to You and resting in Your promise that You are with us. Amen. God, bless you. Go in peace.