SCRIPTURE READING
Luke 3:1-6
REFLECTION
We don’t all need to be important. But we do all need to feel that we are important to someone.
We don’t all need to change the world. But we do all need to feel that we have a contribution to make. One of the most devastating things that we could ever experience is to feel that our lives are meaningless or that we are worthless.
In their wonderful book, The Art of Possibility (Penguin, New York, 2000) Benjamin and Rosamund Zander compare the attitudes of oboe players and second violinists in an orchestra: A string player just entering a new position in an orchestra will often start with great enthusiasm, take his part home at night, and continue to do careful and regular practice in his spare time. However, when it begins to dawn on him that his stand partner stopped practicing years ago and that the conductor does not seem to care or even to hear when players are out of tune, he too quickly begins to show signs of the onset of the disease [second fiddle-itis].
A first oboist, on the other hand, is unlikely to give up making reeds or to miss a rehearsal. It is simply too noticeable. In all my years of conducting, I do not believe I have ever known a first oboe to be late for a rehearsal. Is it because the oboe has to be there at the beginning to tune everyone to the A?
When the writer of Luke’s Gospel announces the start of John the Baptiser’s ministry, he describes the political context of John’s world. For the average Israelite, life was controlled by wealthy and powerful leaders. Seven such authorities are listed in the first verse and a half of chapter three. But God’s message is given not to these VIPs, but to John—a nobody who is living in obscurity in the Judaean wilderness. In John’s Gospel, when the religious leaders ask John who he is, he refuses to answer. All he does is give them a quote from Isaiah about being a voice in the wilderness. Yet in all the Gospels, this is the person through whom the Divine Messianic purpose is set in motion.
There is no shortage of ways that our society can make us feel worthless and unimportant. Depression and suicide are on the increase across the globe. And social media can easily become a roller coaster of affirmation and denigration in staggeringly swift succession. Spiritual gurus, business coaches, and self-help experts all love to tell stories of humble, unknown people who, against the odds, rise to fame, wealth and greatness. These stories are meant to inspire, but too often all they do is confirm for the rest of us that we don’t measure up. They remind us that it is only the prominent and powerful who matter. The rest of us seem to exist for no reason other than to adore our betters and buy the products that make them rich.
But the Gospel, and the Advent story, give us a completely different perspective. When significant, world-changing events are happening, it is not the VIPS who make the greatest difference. It is the unseen, unrecognised, ordinary people who in small acts of courage, kindness, and justice contribute to meaningful changes. It is the Johns hiding out in the wildernesses of our world to whom God’s message comes and who prepare the way for the Messiah’s arrival in our corner of the world, our particular circumstances.
At the end of the reading for Advent 2 the writer of Luke includes the words from Isaiah: ‘And then all the people will see the salvation sent from God.’ This is a much-needed reminder that we are not saved by mighty armies, Presidents and Prime Ministers, political parties, billionaires or celebrities. We are not saved through the grand acts of individuals who are uniquely gifted or widely connected. We are saved when ordinary people hear God’s message and begin to opt out of the competitiveness, greed, power-hunger, and polarisation of our world. Margaret Wheatley was absolutely right when she said, “Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world. In fact, it is the only thing that ever has.”
We long for a world of peace. We long to feel secure in our homes with enough resources to live comfortably. We long to know that our children will never have to question whether they are safe and loved. We long to live in a world where everyone can live and love freely and securely with enough food and water, a place of shelter, access to education, and meaningful work. And we all long to play some part in building that world. But most of us don’t have any clue where to begin. The obstacles to realising this world seem to be too many and too big for our small efforts to matter.
But we forget the power of a mother’s love, the mutual care and support of brothers, or the kind mentoring of an elder who helps a young person create a viable business. We forget the impact that just showing up each day and living with kindness and generosity can have on those around us. We forget that our capacity for joy and wonder and compassion can shift the temperature in our homes, neighbourhoods, schools, and workplaces. And we forget that the message of God does not call us to become rich and famous in order to make a difference. It is a simple invitation to love God, ourselves, and our neighbours.
Imagine what would happen if each day every one of us took a minute to allow the message of God to come to us. Imagine if we listened for just one thing we could do each day to shift our corner of the world a little closer to Jesus’ ideal of the Reign of Love. And imagine if we took the time to remind ourselves each day that how we live does matter because it contributes to building the just, compassionate, and connected world that we long for.
It’s time to stop waiting for the VIPs to hear God’s message and do something to fix our world. It’s time for us, in our ordinary, hidden lives, to hear God’s message and do the few little things we can to offer healing, comfort, friendship, love and joy to the other ordinary people in our small patch of the Earth.
RESPONDING
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AND INTERCESSION
You have shown us how much you love us, God,
you have given us a deep sense of value.
You have given us gifts and abilities
and the capacity to make a positive contribution to the lives of those around us.
We thank you for the richness we experience in our lives.
Spirit, you empower and spark our creativity
and courage us to share the peace of Christ with others.
We thank you for giving us the ability to share Christ in creative ways.
There are so many people who feel worthless,
unloved, and without meaning.
We remember them, God, and hold them in our hearts.
There are places in the world where people are needed
to bring healing, justice, compassion, and connection.
May we step out and offer your love and light in these places.
There are moments when we need to see our ability to make a contribution
and know that our contribution is valuable and needed.
Spirit, fill us with your presence and power to help us do what we can,
when we can, for as long as we can.
Amen.
RESPONSE RITUAL
The Second Advent Candle is lit:
As we light this candle we express our longing to matter and make a difference
And we cling to the peace we find and share in Christ.
As the people gaze at the flames, they may be invited to close their eyes and connect with
themselves and with God’s Spirit. Encourage them to slow and deepen their breathing and
become aware of the Spirit’s peace within themselves. And then invite them to think about one
thing they are good at or one thing they have that they can use to make a positive contribution to
those around them in some small way.
INTEGRATING
BENEDICTION
Word of blessing:
May our hearts and lives be opened more and more so that we may experience the Spirit of
Peace within us and share the peace of Christ with those around us.
Greeting one another:
May God’s peace and purpose be with us and be shared among us always. Amen
SENDING RITUAL
The people are invited to pause before they leave and think of one thing they can do this week that will make them feel more empowered to make some contribution in their relationships, homes, families, or neighbourhoods. After a few moments of silence, the people are sent out with the following encouragement: Go in the knowledge that you matter and make your contribution to your world in whatever way you can.
Used with permission from (An Advent and Christmas Guide for Community Worship from sacredise.com) Written by John van de Laar with Jenine Pretorius
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