Advent 1B - "Always winter, and never Christmas"

Those who are pursuing Narnia related themes in their church this December may find ways to weave the themes of the book into the themes of Advent. For instance, the books deal with the theme of "certain hope" as the children and the Narnians await the coming of Aslan. The White Witch has made it "always winter, and never Christmas." When Aslan comes, the power of the White Witch is broken, and the world begins to thaw out.

Advent is a period of waiting. We remember the waiting that was experienced by the children of Israel as they waited for Messiah. We remember that the world (though it didn't know it) was waiting a Savior. And at the same time, we are reminded that we are waiting for the certain return of Christ.

On Music Inspired by the Chronicles of Narnia,Jars of Clay offers a song entitled "Waiting for the World to Fall," which could be used to highlight the themes of waiting. Some view the period of Advent simply as marking time until Christmas, a countdown of days until gifts can be opened. But what we are really waiting for and longing for is the certain return of the King, who will set all things right again.

I'm waiting for the world to fall
I'm waiting for the scene to change
I'm waiting when the colors come
I'm waiting for my world to come undone

-Jars of Clay: Waiting for the World to Fall

When Christ returns, we can be certain that the world that we know will be undone and remade. The scene will change, for eternity. As we will sing on the first Sunday of Advent, "What a day that will be, when my Jesus I shall see!"

Grace and Peace,

PastorJon