A Tumultuous Advent

I had an unexpected hiatus from blogging due to a family crisis. Both my parents landed in hospital, with a two day overlap, and then Dad died a week ago Sunday from complications due to dementia. I’ve had nearly three unexpected weeks off from work to manage things and two Sundays off from preaching.

So many things have come with clarity to me in this precious and challenging time. Somehow I knew that I needed to put up my Christmas tree early as events started to unfold. I used my nervous energy to decorate the apartment and do some sorting, making way for whatever was to come. The last Sunday I led worship was Advent I - the Sunday of Hope - and my Dad died that afternoon.

I don’t know about you, but I can somehow feel entitled to a lovely Advent. The words hope, peace, joy and love are lovely to think about and lighting candles is pretty and a wonderful ritual. As I preached about the need for hope, knowing that the end was near for Dad, I realized that I was preaching to myself in a way. I needed to hear and live those words and to recognize myself in the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth. Ironically I got a wicked cold two days before the funeral and nearly lost my voice. Luckily I had already asked someone to read my eulogy because I couldn’t have gotten through it and been understood.

As I keep reflecting on what led up to the last two weeks and those weeks themselves, I’m continually reminded of the presence of angels. Angels appearing in people offering good advice, offering to help in any way needed, offering a listening ear, offering prayer. It was an awful time of unknowns and fear about the future if Dad was able to return home and what his needs would be. In the midst of it the angels lifted us all up.

Not only was I given hope in many forms, but I was also able to experience the peace of Christ. I was given strength to face the challenges that arose, just like Mary when Gabriel asked her to be the mother of God. There is no real comparison between what was asked of her and what was asked of me, except that it was through the Spirit’s power and presence that it was possible for both of us to get through it all.

This Sunday I plan to be back in the pulpit and preaching on joy. I’ve written before about how joy isn’t a short-lived feeling like being happy but more an awareness and an active choice. It can be experienced even in the depth of sorrow. It is a reminder of the presence of God in our lives and the promise of being one of God’s children. It is a steadying reminder that we are blessed and all will be well because of our God.

I haven’t started writing my sermon for Sunday yet, but I sure have lots of directions I could go. We will be celebrating the birth of John, the forerunner to Jesus’ ministry, the one spoken about in Isaiah 40 who prepared the way for Him. So I leave you this week with the questions of who has prepared the way for you to experience Christ? How are you preparing the way for others to see Him? What joy are you experiencing even in the midst of sorrow?

Despite yucky weather, despite hardship and increased cost of living, despite illness and fear, may your joy still be full. May your joy lead others to the One who came to dwell with us. May your joy prepare the way of the Lord.