Several readers were kind enough to send this to me over the weekend, and i see it also on A.S. Haley’s blog. Watch it all –KSH.
Several readers were kind enough to send this to me over the weekend, and i see it also on A.S. Haley’s blog. Watch it all –KSH.
Busted Halo, the producer of the video, is a ministry of the Paulists who always seem to come up with great media ministries. I became a devoted listener to one of their radio programs in the mid-1970’s. The “DJ” played current top 40 hits and then did theological reflection on them (although I would not have known to call it that at the time). So, “Love will Keep us Together” by Captain and Tenille, became a reflection on the faithfulness of God. It was pretty wonderful stuff. Glad to see that they are still at it.
And, one more thing. It interested me to see how, in this video, that Advent is declared to be non-penitential (unlike Lent). Growing up in the Episcopal Church, repentance as a theme of Advent was not much emphasized (Low Church, Upper SC). After the prayerbook revisions which resulted in the 1979 BCP, the repentance theme seemed to make a bit of a comeback. I note that the Orthodox churches hold on tightly to this Advent thread, and wonder if we are missing the boat by letting it diminish.
I love the part: If you are exhausted (or whatever) by December 25th, you have missed the meaning of Advent. (Or however the quote goes: It is SOOOO true!)
Good stuff.
The contrast between HOPE and REPENTANCE seems a little clumsy (and is too easily assimilated to “feeling positive” versus “feeling down”). I’ve heard such a claim before and IMO it doesn’t actually do justice to the Good News, “Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand”.
Otherwise, very good!
Great! I’m going to pass this one along! But I do agree with Driver8 about the clumsy Lent-Advent remarks. We were having this discussion just yesterday in Sunday School, about how Advent has lost its “repentance” character in many churches and how it’s important NOT to forget its connection to Lent.
I agree with that and was struck by this presentation’s distinction of the two. Considering how apocalyptic and cautionary some of the Advent Scripture is, I don’t think we’re supposed to lose the connection. Yes, we’re marking Jesus’ physical birth into the world but when He comes again, it won’t be as a baby and we shouldn’t be taken unaware.
I like that we’re beginning our services during Advent with the Trisagion (Thrice Holy). It’s beautiful and penitential. I think we can get too caught up in the “cute little baby shivering in a stable” mindset, with all of its pathos and vulnerability, and ignore the power and might of God Incarnate.
I also like it, with the same caveats mentioned by others in re: the penitential nature of Advent. I made the point in yesterday’s sermon
Christian repentance actually flows from hope, as per 1 John 3:2-3:
“Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.”