November 22, 2024

Times and Seasons

The third chapter of Ecclesiastes begins “For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted…”. It continues this litany of timely contrasts, ending in “a time to love and a time to hate; a time for war and a time for peace.” Folk Singer Pete Seeger turned this into a song by changing the last line to “a time for peace, I swear it’s not too late.” He also added the refrain “Turn, turn, turn,” implying this is the season to turn from one to the other, especially peace not war. This was the season of the Viet Nam war, after all. Of course, The Byrds turned this lyric into a folky pop tune and had a big hit with it. It was a time for success for both that band and the song writer, evidently.

Our post-election as well as our post-cyclone bomb seasons are now upon us. Both of these seasons leave us with some level of uncertainty about the future and the long-term consequences they may have. These events occurred in what are the last weeks of our church year. These last weeks and the texts they contain force us to look square on into the future with the question “do we have confidence in God, come what may?” This Sunday is the last Sunday in the liturgical year, one in which we unapologetically answer that question with a “Yes, because God reigns over all those things that vex us.” This reminds us that God’s reign has begun but is not yet complete, so we wait for that completion, the way that Jew’s waited for the Messiah. So in advent (meaning “coming”), we remember the first coming of Christ, even as we await the fulfilment of that coming.

But it’s not so easy to “turn, turn, turn” our thoughts and feelings from fears and concerns to hopes and assurances. Therefore, we consider this over a period of time; that is, the four weeks leading up to our celebrating the mystery of the incarnation of our God in the person of Jesus and the hope that offers all people. With that hope in mind, this Advent, for any who might be interested, I will lead a time of reflection and discussion on how we might spiritually prepare ourselves in this particular season, that we might live into the promise of God’s reign, present and yet to come. These will be held on Monday nights in December at 7:00 pm on Zoom. All are welcome. More details will be coming next week.

For now, I invite you to think about our journey this past year from Advent up to this coming Sunday, and all that we have heard, prayed, praised, lamented, confessed, and celebrated. Thinking of all the ups and downs we see in our rearview mirrors, and knowing more are ahead, let us pray for God to lead us into a season of growth, preparing us to respond to whatever is ahead. I also invite you to pick up a liturgical calendar in our Narthex. This year’s theme is hospitality, and invites us to consider the theme of being hospitable in what might be considered a less than hospitable season. On the back of the calendars you will find scripture passages and reflection questions (for young and old) to consider in light of the artwork on the calendar. You can also find that text here.

In this season of change and all the unknowns it creates, might we celebrate well the end of this year, and bring in our new year with faith, hope, and love.

With confidence in Christ,

~ Pastor Todd