Third Sunday of Advent – morning
Sunday 16th December 2018
Advent 3 – morning
Philippians 4. 4-7
Luke 3. 7-18
Revd Preb Maureen Hobbs
Joyful Sunday – That is what the third Sunday of Advent is all about and why we light our pink candle this week.
Those of you who thought the pink candle was for Mary will have to wait a further week – her Sunday is Advent 4.
No. As unlikely as it seems, the pink candle marks the Sunday when we think about John the Baptist and the part he has to play as we prepare to welcome our Lord come among us – Emmanuel.
And Joy is not perhaps a notion that we would readily associate with the Baptist. Too angry. Too shouty.
Discussing the passage of Advent with a colleague at the wedding yesterday, she speculated that maybe John the Baptist particularly liked pink…. after all everyone knows that blue is the colour associated with the Virgin! But let’s not spend too long going down that path!
Here instead is a little meditation on joy – or more especially on joy riding…
There is joy, a hitch-hiker standing at the side of the road, waving; but I am travelling too fast: by the time my conscience, or my heart is stirred, I have passed the point of no return.
I sometimes see the flashy, the boldly dressed, or undressed;
I see thrill, exhilaration, sometimes even ecstasy (with or without a pill!):
These I have taken for a ride – or is it vice versa???
I see too, happiness, and contentment, mature in years, at peace with the world and each other: these old dears, too I have on occasion picked up and taken home;
I have also found pleasure, in all manner of guises; and at certain times especially in the football season, frenzy rises: but such seek to accompany me only to the next service station;
But joy – I was not expecting her to be so soberly dressed, so quiet; never intrusive or insistent – so much so that I missed her gentle request – it was more like an offer – to come with me all the way.
But as I journeyed, thirst overtook me: body and soul and spirit parched, arid, dry; I stopped, searched, and found the wells of salvation and, as I reached to draw water, saw joy standing by.
“Who are you?” I asked. “I would like to know you…”
“This is my home,” she replied; “I am the child of salvation; and as you drink deep, so I will show you the nature of joy.
Drink deep of the cup of salvation: be still, and know the delight of the Lord in you, his child: know he receives you as you are, precious in his sight – in such acceptance, know joy!
Drink deep of the cup of salvation: know that the shadows from the past can all be driven away – disappointment, and failure, and sin, all can be redeemed, forgiven – in such freedom, know joy!
Drink deep of the cup of salvation: know you need never fear;
The Lord has promised to give you his peace; never will you be alone: always he is near – in such safety, know joy!
Drink deep of the cup of salvation: know that you are no longer adrift in an aimless, tumultuous world, but are part of God’s story and he is bringing you swiftly home – in such belonging, know joy!
Drink deep of the cup of salvation: know that the Lord of creation is making all things new – restoring his image in you, his child, restoring his just and peaceful rule – in such re-creation, know joy!
As you come to the wells of salvation take time, as you draw your water to see my reflection in it and as you drink, give me a personal invitation: let me in!
And the more you let me into your life the more you will also need to let me out: I will dance on your debt, I will dance in your heart and your eyes, I will free you to sing and shout,
To worship the Lord your God with all of your heart and soul and nnoe of your inhibitions; this is your gift: this is your whole intent, this is your inner strength and this is his due …
It is true, I am not always loud; you saw me first in my sober dress, for when it is dark I will speak encouraging words of certain hope, in gentleness, in confidence and quiet trust…
Know me, child of the light,
Know me in riches or rags
Know me in grief or in celebration, know me by day and by night, for I am your light and by night, for I am your light shadow; I am the child of salvation.”
We stood and talked by the well;
I wanted to hold her fast, but she gently shook her head and I watched in dismay as she slipped away down the shaft:
“You know where to find me!” she said. ….
It is sometimes said that it doesn’t really matter how many people you get inside a church, participating in worship…
What really matters is that those who do participate will go out changed and transformed in some way – ready to live the kingdom in Jesus’ name.
Will you let yourselves be transformed by Joy this advent? Will you take God’s message of salvation freely offered; of the well that can never run dry;
You know where to find her…