Of those things reported in the Scriptures that strain credulity, from the perspective of 21st-century America, it is not so much the miracles that pose a problem, but, I would suggest, the popularity of John the Baptist and his message of repentance. Can you imagine such a thing? We have officially entered the silly season of American politics with 2008 presidential campaigns ”“ we’re getting a good taste of it this weekend here in South Carolina ”“ but can you imagine any of the candidates taking a John the Baptist approach to winning the electorate’s affections, taking up John’s style of slash-and-burn oratory?
Not only is it difficult to imagine a politician taking such a tack, the call to a penitent life is rarely to be heard in the church these days. Indeed, America’s most popular preacher, with perfect hair and a smile that brings well-deserved glory to the modern practice of cosmetic dentistry, channels not so much John the Baptist as Norman Vincent Peale and a “gospel” of self-affirmation and positive thinking ”“ which is no gospel at all. And we eat it up. Flatter me, coddle me, affirm me – but don’t tell me I am wrong down to my very roots, that to be fit for the Kingdom of Heaven my life will have to be completely re-thought from the inside all the way out.
But that is just what John came preaching. And of course, it’s a sermon not unique to that wild man John. If we were to read ahead to the next chapter of St. Matthew’s gospel, we would see that “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand” is exactly the message Jesus proclaimed in his own preaching ministry. [ii] And were we to read ahead to chapter 10, we would see Jesus send his disciples out on their first mission trip and actually provide their sermon text: “Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” [iii] And if we wanted to skip even further ahead, out of St. Matthew’s gospel altogether and into the Acts of the Apostles, to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, what is the climactic exhortation of St. Peter’s sermon that day? “Repent and be baptized every one of you.” [iv]
But that is a difficult message to preach and to hear in our own day.
When did the Western Church start celebrating the nativity [i]before[/i] the event? At one time Advent was a period of fasting (as it still is in Orthodoxy). The twelve days of Christmas were celebrated [i] after [/i] the feast. None of this is true anymore.
Thank you for this wonderful piece. Advent and Christmas need to be viewed not as entities to themselves, but through the lens of the Cross. Christmas is for sure a joyful time, but a very serious one as well; the moment that God’s Son came down from the splendour of heaven to the squalor of Earth, to take on human flesh, and suffer the most punishingly painful death imaginable to atone for our wretched sins, which we are completely unable to atone for ourselves. He went through all of this for us. What grace, that cannot be expressed in words.
One cannot understand Christmas without a conviction of his/her sins and sinfulness, and the price paid to allow for our salvation. This is what we need to hear from our preachers at this time of the year, indeed every week, all year long. Thank you Fr. Allen for standing up for the truth. God bless you.
Advent wasn’t a penitential season until the 13th century.
http://romansacristan.blogspot.com/2006/12/is-advent-penitential.html
Dear Charley, #3 and 4: As Christians we should be horrified by our sins all year long, not just during Advent and Lent.
Why can’t we get priests like Fr. Allen in Tennessee? 😉
It is perhaps worth noting that what is called Advent in the West is not a penitential season for the Orthodox. Unlike Great Lent and to a lesser extent the Apostles Fast and the Dormition Fast, the Nativity Fast is not generally regarded as a season of repentance. Indeed of the four fasting periods it is the most lenient. Rather this is a period of spiritual reflection and exercise through fasting. It is also a period of alms giving. In the tradition of the Orthodox Church the money saved during the Nativity Fast is supposed to be given to the poor.
Scott K, Fr. Patrick Allen was a priest in TN, specifically (I think) at St. Joseph of Arimithea in Hendersonville, TN. He served there with the understanding that when his wife finished her medical residency that they would likely be relocating, which they did perhaps a year or more ago. I agree, TN and every place can use more priests like him, but take heart, you and I have both met personally an encouraging few deacons now become priests and more on the way, I trust. You know, I think, Pastor Vicki who recently became our rector at St. Philip’s in Donelson (Nashville) TN, and our deacon Patrick who is soon to be ordained a priest is as orthodox as they come, enough to get a polite turndown from the Cathedral, saying another position wasn’t in their budget. Sure, and I have a bridge in Brooklyn I’d like to sell you! 😉
No. 5 of course, but you don’t have to walk around wearing a hair-shirt and flogging yourself year ’round either.
Thanks, Milton, I was actually only trying to be funny. I know Patrick and was only lamenting that he is no longer here in our diocese.