Third Advent

Isaiah 12:2-6, Luke 3:7-18

The Isaiah text comes in the midst of a prophecy about the coming age of the Messiah. Earlier in the chapter, we get the familiar image of the rise of the "root of Jesse," the descendent of David who will lead not just Israel, but "the nations." Chapter 12 is a short hymn of thanksgiving to the God who will bring all this to pass. Several themes are central here. First, the admonition not to be afraid (we've heard that before and will hear it again this season!). Don't be afraid because God is our strength when we are weak and God is our salvation; we don't have to accomplish that on our own. Second, there is this beautiful image of drawing water from the well of salvation, an image the church has used as a baptismal image. The rest of the song dwells most on saying thank you and then sharing the news of what God has done to all nations (again, the sense that what God is up to is not just about one people in one land, but about all people in all lands).
This is a text of joy, reminding us who is the author of our blessings and our hope for taking what is wrong with our lives and making it right. On the Sunday the church has traditionally celebrated as "Gaudete" or "Joy" Sunday, this seems a very appropo passage.

Our second passage may be harder to understand on this day, since it involves John the Baptist and his hard news. William Willimon sums up John's message as meaning God has come not just to save us, but to change us. Again, we get a baptismal story, this time with a bit of a cut we might miss. You see those who converted to Judaism went through a ritual bath as part of their conversion, a "baptism." Those born to Jewish mothers did not have to go through that ritual. But John says that DNA will not save you, rather the fruits your life bears will reflect whether or not you truly have a connection with God that means something in your life.
John also opens up the possibility of salvation to those usually excluded by the Jewish establishment. Tax Collectors and soldiers were seen as collaborators with Rome and so shunned. But John says everyone can do something for God.
More tomorrow.

Second Advent Luke 1:26-38

Luke 1:26-38
We are going off the lectionary for Sunday for a service of lessons and carols for Advent. Five scripture lessons will come from both Hebrew Bible prophets and the stories in Luke which precede the birth of Jesus. Most of the readings will be followed by poems, then music. But this one will be followed by a short meditation. This is Luke's story of the visit by Gabriel to Mary of Nazareth, commonly called The Annunciation.
Although this story appears only in Luke's gospel (as do most of the birth narratives), it has wonderfully fired the imagination of the faithful, the artists, the poets, and the liturgists throughout the centuries. Those of you who grew up Roman Catholic remember well "Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you," Gabriel's opening words to Mary. This passage has been used and misused as well over the centuries to tell women that their proper role not only with God but with the church is to be subservient and passive, although I do not read this text or Mary's activity in this incident that way. So a few general comments:

• Mary comes across in this story as very thoughtful, not afraid to question (an angel!), clearly in control of her decision in this matter. I have not seen the film "The Nativity," but I am told that the actress who plays Mary picks this up nicely. She's not just a passive dishrag, but a willing participant. Eyes wide open, as it were.
• Like Zechariah earlier in this chapter, Mary questions the announcement of an angel. Zechariah is punished because, perhaps, he is perceived with his question as doubting. Why is Mary not punished for her question? Perhaps because she was perceived as having faith that this could happen, but being a bit confused (and rightfully so) about how. The scholar Jennette Scholer observes that following the angel's answer to her question, Mary is "faithfully obedient." She says this means "not to be full of an emotion or a belief; it is to act steadfastly on the basis of a commitment or a relationship." That works for me in thinking about her response.
• This passage always reminds me that "finding favor with God" is always a mixed blessing. No wonder Mary pondered what sort of greeting this might be. She knew the history of her people. Those who were chosen (from Moses to Esther to the prophets) often faced great difficulty in carrying out the task for which God chose them. Makes sense that Gabriel needed to say to her following her perplexity, "don't be afraid." Almost always, by the way, that is the first phrase out of the mouth of an angel. Rather makes me think the usual picture of angels we have as sweet and beautiful must not be quite right. I wouldn't be afraid if an angel appeared looking like the ones on the tree in the Metropolitan Museum in NYC. (p.s. angels in the Bible are always male, too)
• Mary has had almost a negligible place in Protestantism. Anyone out there who reads this; I'd be so curious to know what you think of Mary and her place in our faith, our spiritual lives, our theology.