FROM THE SENIOR

FROM THE SENIOR ASSOCIATE RECTOR

The Rev. Rebecca Tankersley

As I take up my pen to write to you, the heat of our Texas sun has finally relented. We have remembered our saints and all of the souls we’ve loved yet see no more. The pumpkins, goblins, black cats, and scary sounds that adorned our yards over the last several weeks have given up the ghost. “Move on,” says the world, “to the next holiday!” Thanksgiving? Mother Rebecca’s birthday? No.

No, most of the world is moving rapidly toward Christmas. Here at Transfiguration, though, we are observing Advent. Our lectionary readings for the past several weeks have moved us to reflect on the Good News of Christ’s second coming. On the final Sunday of the Church’s year, we read again the story of Jesus’ crucifixion. Even as we heard the climax of the story of Jesus earthly ministry, we were pointed forward toward this second coming. As Jesus hung on the cross, one of the criminals hanging with him plead:

“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

The word Advent, from the Latin adventus, means “coming” or “arrival.” In the four weeks of Advent, we watch and wait for Christ’s coming. For many years, my Advential watching and waiting was focused on the birth of a baby in Bethlehem, on a child in a manger, on shepherds and angels, and a star high in the sky. My watching and waiting involved decorating the house, shopping for Christmas gifts, cooking and baking for the feast to come. At the end of the season, our family would go to church and find the baby – just as the angels had promised – lying in a manger. We’d return home, having watched and waited for Jesus and having found he was indeed born on Christmas Day, and we’d celebrate with those we love.

I’ve shared with you before that, as I’ve grown older, I’ve come to understand Advent isn’t as much about watching and waiting for the birth of Christ, but for his promised second coming. Advent is a season in which we join our voices with the criminal’s and pray, “Jesus, remember us when you come into your kingdom.” When we observe Advent in this way, as a time to prepare for the end of the story, the rhythm of our lives changes considerably. Far from decorating and feast-making, Advent becomes a time to reflect on what it will be like when, as Jesus promises, we are with him in paradise.

This is a promise worth waiting for. Here at Transfiguration, we are observing a time of holy waiting as we gather together week by week and reflect on another group of folks who watched and waited for God’s promises to be fulfilled: the magi. From our Advent Family Festival to our parish-wide adult formation classes, we’re exploring these learned Gentiles who see a star, consult prophets and sages from around the world, and find Isaiah: “Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.” Seeing a new star rising to their west, the magi recognize that something significant is taking place and embark on a journey. And we know the story: they bring gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The Magi have much to teach us about holy journeying and about showering those who are special with gifts.

Friends, our watching and waiting this Advent is nothing short of a gift. It is the gift of time in which we can examine our lives openly and honestly, time in which we can reconnect with our priorities and recommit ourselves to following Christ. We have so much to learn about following the Savior of the world into love. This Advent, I’m praying our collect for Epiphany – which acknowledges the leadership of the magi – and I hope you’ll join me. Let us pray:

O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

I look forward to journeying with you as we take a lesson from the Magi. Blessed Advent to you, my sisters and brothers!

Rebecca+

Ave Maris Stella was composed in 1976 during the time Trond Kverno was associated with the Gamle Aker Kirke (Old Aker Church) and Oslo Cathedral.