Thoughts for Advent 2001

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,
it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness,
it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity,
it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness,
it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair,
we had everything before us, we had nothing before us."

With these words, Charles Dickens begins A Tale of Two Cities in 1859. The two cities in question are Paris and London at the time of the French Revolution.

Dickens description, however, could also describe the mood of our present-day world: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times ... we had everything before us, we had nothing before us ...." Some of us come to the season of Advent preparing for the season of Light and others of us are still living in the season of darkness. For some this season of preparation for the birth of the Christ-child will once again move us into the spring of hope while others affected by the events of September 11 and following will continue living into the winter of despair.

Dickens words also describe the mood in Bethlehem 2000 years ago. The opening words of Luke 2, In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered remind us that the land of Jesus' birth was under foreign-occupation. It was for the house and family of David, the worst of times.

But it is in the midst of this setting that Jesus is born, making it the best of times. The birth announcement came to terrified shepherds as good news of great joy: "Do not be afraid ... for to you is born this day ... a savior ...." and as angelic song: "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace, good will among people."

I look forward to this Advent season with a new and greater anticipation of God's surprising intervention into our world. In the worst of times, may we celebrate and worship the God who gifts us with the best of times. In an age of foolishness, may God grant us an age of wisdom. In our despair, may we once again find hope.

In a season of Darkness, may we be reminded of the words of Isaiah: "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who have lived in a land of deep darkness -- on them light has shined." (Isaiah 9:2b)

In this season of Advent, may we join the heavenly host in praising God:

Glory to God in the highest heaven, and
on earth peace, good will among all people.

Herman

Herman Kauffman serves as District Pastor for the Northern Indiana District of the Church of the Brethren. Prior to assuming this position in November 1994, he served 20+ years as a pastor in Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. He has been married for over 20 years and is the father of two children.