Today’s Advent Reflection is from David Walker.
The True Colour of Christmas
Matthew 5:1-12
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for their is the kingdom of heaven.
‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
‘Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
‘Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Reflection
Although the first day of Advent was last Sunday 29th November, for me, the beginning of December is the actual commencement of this happy and joyful time.
It is the month of reds and greens, sparkle and splendour, and families and fun. It is a period of golden moments.
Or, at least, that’s what the advertisements try to tell us.
But where is Jesus in all these colourful tableaux? If Christ isn’t at the centre of our wonderfully manicured presentations, I see the colour rapidly draining away, leaving a picture of greys and dull whites. Now, the scenes aren’t quite so appealing.
The reading for today’s reflection is Matthew, chapter 5 verses 1-12. It concerns Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount and has a subtext ‘True Happiness’. Within those few verses Jesus mentions what exactly happiness is. Not once, but ten times. However, each time isn’t portrayed as being in a pleasant or comfortable state; He teaches that being happy is experienced by those in quite the opposite situations to that of being comfortable.
So, to whom is He saying such things? According to Matthew it is to the throng of people sitting on a hillside. Were they just sitting around and Jesus joined them or were they there in anticipation of Jesus’ arrival? I believe they were there awaiting Jesus to join them. They knew of him and were there to hear what he had to say. Some may have been there out of curiosity but for others it would surely be out of awe. They had heard His teachings previously and they wanted to hear more; they were full of expectation.
This was in a time that was without Facebook, TV and any of the other present day modes of advertising. It is quite something that crowds should congregate in such high numbers to what must have been a spectacular event. Also, to meet where they did, probably beyond the prying eyes of the Roman authorities, who would have been very suspicious of large gatherings, it conjures up a picture of how much people desired to be in the presence of this special teacher.
When sitting amidst the crowd and with his disciples around him Jesus told them that the spiritually poor; the mourners; the humble; the faithful; the merciful; the pure in heart; the peacemakers and those being persecuted for being a follower, are the ones that have been blessed with happiness. This would have resonated to some degree with those present, as indeed it might with us today. Although all of the above might not relate to us, I’m sure we can recognise at least one or two of the states mentioned. But Christ balances, or tempers, them all with the promise of God’s mercy and His Kingdom to come for everyone; now and then.
If I can take you back to my opening comments and put Jesus Christ into the scenes of splendour and plenty I can see the colours returning and the tableaux now resemble Christmas. The scene is now set and it beckons my anticipation and draws out of me my expectations that I am to experience once again the full impact of Jesus’ Christmas Story.
At this time of year, I can’t help but remember years past when I was a young boy. The feeling of eagerness for the ‘Big Day’ to arrive. It wasn’t just for the presents, although, let’s be honest, they were a major part of it, but it was for the greens and reds and sparkle and splendour and families and fun and that, then, as now, of being welcomed into experiencing the wondrous celebration of a baby born in a stable two thousand years ago.
It is with thankfulness that I am entering into advent. With hope for the future and the anticipation of experiencing Christ at Christmas; the expectation of the Holy Spirit with us at Christmas and the joy and happiness of knowing we are with family (whether near or far) but we are also in the midst of the Lord’s family in the splendour of His Kingdom here on Earth.
Happy Advent. Happy Christmas