Advent Calendars: Part 3
What would you put on a green advent calendar? – Part 3
(In relation to the Lectionary readings for 1 December). See also:-
- Advent Calendars: Part 1 (Actually making the calendar)
- Advent Calendars: Part 2 (Be aware that not all enjoy Christmas)
What is Advent?
and why we should care for the environment in Advent?
Advent is the four Sundays in the church calendar before Christmas.
Advent is the time of year when we think about the coming of Christ – God comes to earth – Immanuel.
If God were to come to earth this year – or today – are you happy with the way we/you are looking after his world? Do you think he is happy? (And one could get run over by a bus)
The Jews hoped they would get a new leader. The prophets thought hard about what that leader might be like, what would make an ideal leader.
——————-
Lower down I print the Lectionary Readings for the first Sunday of Advent this year 2013:
To me two ideas shine out:
- Wake up, for the coming of the Lord is nearer now than when we first believed. – The night is far gone, the day of his return will soon be here. – The day is at hand.
- So quit the evil deeds of darkness and put on the armour of right living, Let us live honourably – let us walk in the light of the LORD!
The passages spell out the urgency of the situation
So how can we live honourably?
We can look after the environment, and leaving the world a better place (or at least a less bad place) for future generations.
On Tuesday (the first Tuesday of September) I visited two SSSIs (Sites of Special Scientific Interest in central Yorkshire -in the Derwent Ings – they were both tiny areas of natural history interest amongst vast areas of intensive farmland – and they owed their survival to conservationists 30 or 50 years ago who had saved these tiny areas from being ploughed up. (And of course to good management by the present farmers and Natural England to ensure the wild plants and animal habitats continue)
Vast areas of habitat of far greater interest and importance is being destroyed nowadays. We intensify agriculture around the world, and cover the land with roads and cities. I ask myself “Can I use some of my wealth and resources to save important parts for future generations?” Hence I give some of my money to three habitat conservation charities under the umbrella of CEL’s Rainforest fund
I used to read Romans 13:13 “Let us live honourably as in the day, not in revelling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness,” and think “I don’t revel very much or get drunk ( maybe I am pretty boring)
but.. I have just left half the lights on in the house.. Oh dear.
Lectionary Readings for the first Sunday of Advent this year 2013:
Year A – (Sun 1 Dec 2013)
Isaiah 2:1-5
Psalm 122
Romans 13:11-14
Matthew 24:36-44
Isaiah 2 v 3: Many peoples shall come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.”
Isaiah 2 v4 They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks:
Isaiah 2:5 O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD!
—
Romans 13:11-14
13:11 You know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers;
13:12 the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armour of light;
13:13 let us live honourably as in the day, not in revelling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarrelling and jealousy.
13:14 Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
Or reading from the “Living bible”
11 Another reason for right living is this: you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for the coming of the Lord is nearer now than when we first believed. 12-13 The night is far gone, the day of his return[a] will soon be here. So quit the evil deeds of darkness and put on the armour of right living, as we who live in the daylight should! Be decent and true in everything you do so that all can approve your behaviour. Don’t spend your time in wild parties and getting drunk or in adultery and lust or fighting or jealousy. 14 But ask the Lord Jesus Christ to help you live as you should, and don’t make plans to enjoy evil.
Matthew 24:36-44
24:36 “But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
24:37 For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
24:38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark,
24:39 and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man.
24:40 Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left.
24:41 Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left.
24:42 Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.
24:43 But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into.
24:44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.
Comments welcome.
Next: Nuclear Faith
Previous: November 16th – Pray for the Arctic 30
Comments on "Advent Calendars: Part 3"
No comments found.Add your own comment to "Advent Calendars: Part 3"
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Leave a Reply