Readings for Advent 2A:
Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72; Matthew 3:1-12
December 9, 2007
The Rev. Karen Faye Siegfriedt
St. Jude the Apostle Episcopal Church, Cupertino, CA
“A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him ... The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them.” [Is. 11]
Few texts in all of the biblical literature are better known or loved than this one. These verses articulate the deep and persistent human hope for justice and peace on earth. For some Christians, this text also expresses the promise of a messiah. It is the tradition of the Church to read such prophetic passages during the season of Advent. So, we do. But the truth that is communicated through such passages is what is at the core of the Christian faith. Today I would like to explore the differences between Christian truth and Christian tradition focusing on today’s readings as well as the season of Advent.
Robert Webber (a teacher, writer, and speaker) compares the history of the Christian faith with that of an artichoke. “The kernel is found in the very center, hidden by layers of leaves. The layers represent the traditions we have built around the truth, traditions that sometimes stand in the way of encountering the truth in its naked power. Just as we need to peel off the leaves of an artichoke to get to its heart, so in the Christian faith we need to peel away the layers of tradition that take us to the heart of faith.”
I think a lot of Christians get stuck arguing about the validity of the many “leaves” of Christian tradition that have been passed down through the ages. This often happens in Bible study where intellectual Christians focus their attention on deconstructing the texts rather than seeking the hope, the encouragement, and the truth that is communicated through the texts. So let’s take a look at today’s readings, peeling back the leaves of tradition, to find the kernel of truth that offers abundant life to all of God’s creatures.
Today, we hear from two different prophets: Isaiah and John the Baptist. Their words and sentiments have become part of our Holy Scriptures. It is the tradition in the Episcopal Church to read their prophetic words during the season of Advent. Hidden behind these colorful characters who dress funny, speak urgently, and hit people over the head with a hammer, are kernels of truth. The truth is, God created all creation to live by the principles of justice, righteousness, and peace. And when those principles of justice, righteousness, and peace are not followed, then the people of God are called to change the way they are living. In theological terms, this is called repentance. If they do not change the way they live, then they or others will eventually suffer painful consequences. Unfortunately (much of the time) it is the innocent ones who end up suffering.
Christianity is a forward-looking religion. It looks forward to the time when all creation is living in harmony. People of the Christian faith should not be satisfied with the present order until all of creation is just, righteous, and peaceful. So if you are already “saved” then your job is to make sure that society is saved. Today, Isaiah lays out a plan for salvation. He speaks in the tradition of ancient prophets, some 700 years before the birth of Christ, to a people of the Jewish covenant. However, in spite of this context, Isaiah speaks a truth that is relevant to the 21st century Christian. Let’s take a closer look
Isaiah begins by describing a future political system grounded in the principles of justice, righteousness, and peace. Since the political systems of that time were based on a monarchy, Isaiah talks about a time when there will be a king who has the spirit of God in his heart; a spirit of wisdom, understanding, knowledge and respect for God’s ways. This king will consider the needs of the poor based on what is right (not based on bi-partisan politics). Righteousness and faithfulness will be at the core of his character; not charisma, popularity, big money, or self-interests. The kernel of truth in these words is that politics does matter to God and so politics should matter to all Christians. Justice and righteousness (not self-interest) should form the basis of how we vote and do politics. Thus, being committed to changing unjust political and institutional structures becomes part of our duty as active and thinking Christians.
Isaiah then goes on to speak about a time when peace and tranquility will be present in the entire created order, including peace between predators and prey. This includes not only lions and lambs, leopards and goats, but also includes victims of sexual abuse, oppressed women and children, political prisoners and all people who are destroyed by corrupting powers.
These passages of scripture are very poetic and colorful and are part and parcel of our tradition. But beyond the tradition is a core truth. And the core truth is that God wills for peace, that peace is possible, and that we should do all in our power to strive for harmony in all of our relationships. The upshot of this vision of peace means that in the future (when all creation turns toward the Light), brutality will be tamed, destruction will be overcome, the oldest of enemies will become friends, and creation will be reconciled and made new. It will be a new world that is safe both for domestic animals and for children. This is a vision of hope; hope being one of the key virtues of our tradition. Without hope, the human heart would break.
Finally, Isaiah talks about a little child leading “them.” Who is this child and who are the “them” in this passage? Personally, I don’t really know. Is this child leading the animals as a shepherd leads the sheep? Is this child the promise of the restoration of the Davidic kingdom? Is this child the Christ child who came into the world some 2000 years ago? Or does this passage mean something about childlike innocence or a quality of faith that is receptive? Well, there are a variety of different interpretations. But, I am not going to get stuck here. This passage from Isaiah has so many kernels of truth that are life-giving, that I am going to focus on the truth rather than argue about the tradition. I hope you will too.
So let’s move onto the gospel and take a look at John the Baptist. John is a pretty intense character, speaking about axes, fire, unfruitful trees, vipers, hypocrites, the chaff and the wheat. Two thousand years ago, an entire tradition built up around this prophet. This tradition eventually faded over time. However, the kernels of truth spoken by John the Baptist remain vital for a reconciled world. And one of those kernels of truth is the need to repent. Repentance goes beyond feeling sorry for past actions. To repent actually means to turn around, to change one’s mind. A new world is not going to come about by osmosis. A new world comes about when you and I change our minds and turn around our lives so that we are facing the light rather than the desires of our ego. Repentance means making concrete decisions to leave the old selfish ways behind and reorder our life in ways that are appropriate to God’s intention.
Today we are faced with immense challenges on a global scale. The “wrath to come” prophesied by John the Baptist is already here. As people begin to face the future, they realize that they will have to recapture an almost lost spiritual dimension of life that includes repentance and commitment. Advent is that time of year when we take a serious look at our life and repent if we are out of sync with God’s will.
There are many different traditions that have formed around the season of Advent, the four weeks before Christmas. Advent (when taken seriously) can help prepares us for the celebration of Christmas. Advent traditions include things like devotions around the Advent wreath, singing the Battle Hymn of the Republic on the first Sunday of Advent, dressing the church in blue colors, shopping for gifts for our friends and families, sending out Christmas cards, hosting the African crafts to support outreach, buying presents for the children at Santa Maria Urban Ministry, baking cookies, giving money to different charities, drinking eggnog, setting up a cr&#;che, buying a Christmas tree, decorating the house and yard with lights, listening to certain hymns, chestnuts roasting on an open fire-Jack Frost nipping at your nose. Some of these traditions are religious and life enhancing while others are secular and just fun.
My hope for you this Advent is that you will spend some focused time peeling off the leaves of tradition to get to the kernel of truth about Christmas. And the truth about Christmas is this: “The Word of God became flesh and lived among us, full of grace and truth. From his fullness, we have all received grace upon grace.” [John 1:14-16] As we grow in grace and truth- justice, peace, and righteousness become integral principles in our lives. And through this process of transformation, a new world order is created.
So whatever traditions your family embraces during the season of Advent, think especially about those which lead to truth and grace. And then teach your children about these traditions so that one day “the wolf shall live with the lamb ... the cow and the bear shall graze, their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp ... and they will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” [Isaiah 11]
| Updated December 10, 2007 |
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