Advent, of course, is a period of anticipation and preparation leading to the celebration of Christmas. It makes no sense to pretend, though, that we're awaiting the birth of Jesus. That already occurred. And frankly, I'm not interested in swelling with wonder at the idea of a Virgin Birth. That, to me, is more pretense. I'm not aware of major worldwide holiday celebrations of the many others who were "conceived immaculately" in Egypt, Greece, India, Taiwan, etc.
Whoever came up with the idea, though, that we rejoice at Jesus' birth in deep, dark December was a genius. The daylight hours are shortest around the winter solstice, people tend more to depression, despondency, fear, and other negative emotions and expressions when light is lacking, and hope is signified by light overcoming darkness. We have no idea of Jesus' actual date of birth, so let's mark it during the darkest part of the year. Brilliant! (Pun intended!)
Jesus "shall be called Emmanuel, which means God is with us." So, Advent carries the message that we small, insignificant (in terms of our relation to the vastness of the universe and whatever else is out there) human beings are not bereft of something or Someone to stand with us as we struggle with and against all the forces, temptations, and challenges surrounding us. That "Someone," Advent reminds us, is the Creator of all things. How can we not find strength, comfort, and hope in that?
Here's how --
One way to understand Coffin's hint notion is that rather than making a show of power worthy of The Supreme Being, the truth of "God with us" was accomplished in humility, simplicity, and even weakness: a baby born out back in the barn with the stinking animals while the commander of a violent army "searched diligently for the child." Worldly power was threatened by the most non-threatening way God could think of to assert God's presence in the world.
The message of Advent hit the world with the force of a hint. As Coffin phrased it, "We want God to be strong so we can be weak, but God chose to be weak so we might be strong."
A related aspect of Advent's hinting impact is that even people of faith often elect to play both sides of the equation. We like to sing season-appropriate hymns (holding lit candles during "Silent Night"), we include Nativity scenes, live or otherwise, in our worship and decorating, and we feel a twinge of emotion or nostalgia when Bible verses are read describing Jesus' birth. We look forward to it every year.
It's difficult, though, to see what difference it makes in our lives once we take down the tree and soon forget our New Year's Resolutions. The message seems like a mere hint. How does the Light of Christ shine through the followers of Jesus the rest of the year? It's kind of like donating money or even volunteering at the soup kitchen around Thanksgiving but not giving much, if any, thought to those who are hungry the rest of the year.
If we do carry with us a concern for the suffering among us, if we do recognize the injustices of our society, or if we do understand that true peace is not merely the absence of war or other open conflict, what do we do about it? Simply pray? Look for someone else to sort it all out? Wonder why God doesn't "fix" everything?
Why not embrace the hope of "God with us" as we make decisions and set priorities in our lives? As we decide how to spend our time and our money? As we relate to those who are different from us? As we vote?
If we truly believe "Jesus is the reason for the season," it seems to me we would take the light that shines even in the darkness of the days of December and carry it beyond the holidays to the regular days, the every days, the difficult days, the conflicted days, the challenging days, so that hope is seen in our words and in what we do.
Forget superficial religiosity. Nobody cares about that or is influenced by it. Forget mouthing platitudes or even quoting Bible verses. Forget pointing out the failures of others.
Remember hope. Remember the promises of God. Remember the love of Christ. Remember the presence of the Holy Spirit. Remember your highest allegiance is to the One who has called you by name.
Hint, hint.
