A Pause In Advent #1

Bob and I are definitely logophiles – we love words, and enjoy all sorts of wordplay, learning new words, making puns… We were talking about advent and he said “I love the fact that advent is the start of the word adventure”. So I asked him if I could borrow that thought for the blog!

the definition of Advent is

• The coming or arrival, especially of something extremely important [eg the advent of the computer]
• The liturgical period preceding Christmas, beginning in Western churches on the fourth Sunday before Christmas -observed by many Christians as a season of prayer, fasting, and penitence.

and of adventure

• the encountering of danger
• a daring, hazardous undertaking
• an unusual, stirring experience, often of a romantic nature

And I thought how true this is –that the coming of Jesus into our lives is the start of an adventure. The Christian journey is one where we can encounter stirring experiences, possible danger and hazard, where we dare to do things with a hitherto unknown courage, and where we can find love [God’s agape love, rather than romance, though!]

I have always enjoyed reading adventure stories- ‘ripping yarns’ – and I know that every hero who sets out with high and noble intentions still makes foolish mistakes and unwise decisions, has days of seemingly interminable dullness, moments of high elation, and will encounter true and false friends en route to the goal.

But the best adventure stories should have a happy ending, and the treasure discovered, good friends reunited, and the satisfaction of accomplishment and a job well done.

The adventure of faith is like that too – some days are filled with angels and rainbows- others feel like wading through treacle – others are cold and lonely – but I do believe that on the journey, nothing can separate us from the love of God, and that Jesus walks beside us all the way – and we will reach our heavenly destination in His Good Time. Many people take “Hope” as their theme for this first Sunday of Advent – our Christian hope is ‘an anchor of the soul, sure and steadfast’ One great thing about the Christian adventure is that our travelling companion has been along the path ahead of us – he knows what is coming, and will be with us through good and ill.

Wherever He may guide me, no want shall turn me back
My Shepherd is beside me, and nothing can I lack
His wisdom ever waketh, His sight is never dim
He knows the way He taketh, and I will walk with Him

Green pastures are before me which yet I have not seen
Bright skies will soon be o'er me, where darkest clouds have been
My hope I cannot measure, my path to life is free
My Saviour has my treasure and He will walk with me