Diary of a (Maybe) Retired Pastor

He Came …!

¹⁴ And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.

John 1:14 New Testament, The Bible.

One thing I did not expect of retirement was how time continues to flash by! Already, it is Advent – the four Sundays leading up to Christmas. As one young friend put it, less than 22 days to Christmas Day! So, I’m trying to pause, at least inwardly, to reflect and, perhaps, re-orientate.

This year stands out in the mind as a year of exceptional tension and trouble in the world. Millions of lives have been upended and so many innocents dead. Cities and homes have been levelled. More and more world leaders seem to see themselves as mediaeval warlords and democratic elections seem worryingly less and less capable of returning wise and just governments; and, the world continues to be in stubborn denial about climate change. Nearer home, scandals and injustices have erupted and overtaken some of our largest institutions. The words of the Gospel of Mark, chapter 13 sit uneasily in the mind.

But the beginning of Advent is a prompt, reminding us of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ – His coming into this world. It is also a prompt for us to expect His promised return, He will come again “in the flesh” as the creeds put it. For Christians, these are real events in history, the one a matter of recorded history and the other a matter of certain hope. Without these as certain historic truths the Christian faith, as the Apostle Paul pointed out, is mere delusion. Jesus Christ lived and He will come again.

These twin pillars of truth provide the sure and certain anchor points to which we can pin the uncertain turmoil of world events. They tame the roiling storms of human history, providing calm assurance in the midst of uncertainty. We know that whatever may be blowing out there, in Him, there is safety and quiet. We are assured that the future is safe and guaranteed.

Not, of course, safe and guaranteed in the simplistic notion that all will be well in the end, but rather that God has not abandoned the world, but is indeed present and active. That, however unsettled and unsettling the world may be, He is working steadfastly and surely to His end. His end, is a re-newed creation where there is, “no more weeping” (Rev. 21) and where every man can live in peace under his own fig tree and not be afraid (Micah 4).

Advent reframes the world. It reminds me that there is hope and we do not need to despair. That, despite every indication to the contrary I can hope for a world for my grandchildren where goodness and kindness will still be found. It assures me that continuing to work for such is meaningful, that my prayers will be answered. Come, Lord Jesus, come!