Advent: An Invitation to Hope and Anticipation with Our Neighbors

by Fr. Jeff Weber

This is adapted from an article featured in the Winter 2021-2022 edition of The Table magazine. If you’d like to see this article as it originally appeared in the magazine, you can find it here.

As Anglicans, we “tell time” differently. So much so, in fact, that we can find ourselves out of step with the rhythms of the world around us. This recalibration of time comes from the conviction that Jesus has changed everything--even the lens from which we see our world. So, beginning late November, we turn our clocks back once again and relive the incarnation—participating in a pilgrimage of hope that not only marks the beginning of our church year, but invites us into a season of anticipation and preparation for the one who is to become flesh and dwell among us. In the words of Saint Augustine, “Man's maker was made man that He, Ruler of the stars, might nurse at His mother's breast.” It is in this season that we find ourselves enriched as we relive this birth narrative, reminded anew of the sheer power of God’s redemptive presence in the midst of a culture longing for a home they cannot identify. 

More than 2000 years have passed since the advent of Jesus, yet the profound implications of this historical event continue to guide our waking moments and, with similar assurance, give us peace in our rest. It is in the midst of such reflection that our own calling as individuals and as a church community, are challenged and renewed. This season’s invitation stretches beyond the mere reflection of an event to a calling to follow in the steps of Jesus by becoming the incarnational presence of God’s kingdom here on earth—an expression of God’s very presence in our world. What does that actually look like in our city in 2021? I invite you to take a few moments and reflect on that question—to consider the implications of this incarnational mystery in our current season of ministry at Church of the Redeemer. 

Even a casual observation of our local context (Greensboro and the broader Piedmont Triad) reminds us that we are living in an unprecedented time in the history of our world. Today, we find ourselves in a city with an explosive international population that includes over 120 languages, representing 142 people groups. We are part of a larger kingdom story—the story of a God stirring the nations around the world—a divine disruption in the making. And what may appear at first glance as chaotic and unstable is ultimately recognized as the Gospel’s opportunity when seen through the lens of God’s sovereign design. God has never stirred the nations without a divine intent to reconstitute our globe in order that the Gospel might be more readily accessible. No tribe, nation, or tongue is excepted from this cosmic design. So, as we enter into this season of Advent we can be encouraged that ours is the privilege of joining with God in the extension of His wondrous grace to the nations. 

A joint worship service between our Arabic and East African services!

Consider what he is doing around us. Already in our midst, He is establishing the church of East Africa as part of our parish and raising up a witness to the Arabic speaking community in the Triad through the birthing of a new parish congregation comprised of our friends from Sudan—all part of the larger family of Church of the Redeemer. And that is just the beginning. Recently, God has raised up potential new works in Urdu and Spanish as well as opening the doors to the people of Afghanistan who speak Dari and Pashto. God is using this worshipping community to become an incarnational, redemptive presence to our world as the peoples of the world assemble in our neighborhoods and within reach of our church campus. So why is God stirring the nations? Why has he set Redeemer at the intersection of so many nations? Why are you a part of this particular community of believers at this point in time? At least in part so that you might have the joy of joining in the very purposes of God in this world. Anticipating a second advent of king Jesus, the writer of Revelations envisions that purpose this way: 

“You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation” (Revelation 5:9). 

To that end, let’s join together this Advent season in following the example of Jesus who made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. May this time of anticipation and preparation encourage and strengthen us as together, we reflect again on the mystery of God with us. 

“Heavenly Father, from whom every family on earth derives its name, have mercy on all those who sojourn in this world. As you sheltered your Son Jesus who fled from the tyranny of Herod, so now provide new homes for all those who flee the violence of this age that they may know the peace of Christ. Grace your people with hearts of welcome and lives of courage through Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.” - A Collect for the Nations Gathering in Our City