Advent, a season marked by anticipation and preparation, invites Christians to reflect on the dual themes of hope and mission. As we await the celebration of Christ’s birth in the feast of the ‘Christ-Mass’ the call to mission becomes more pronounced, reminding us of the purpose behind the coming of Jesus into the world.
Advent spans four weeks leading up to Christmas, beginning in days of darkness that remind us of the desert and Jesus’ preparation for his ministry. It is a time of prayer, reflection, and awaiting. In this context, we are encouraged to prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of Christ, both in the celebration of His birth and in the anticipation of His second coming.
The biblical basis for mission in the season of Advent can be traced back to the Old Testament, where God called out to Abraham to be a blessing to the nations, setting a precedence for God’s overarching plan for humanity. In Genesis 12:1-3, God promises Abraham that through him, all nations will be blessed. This foundational call signifies that God’s intention has always been to encompass the entire world as God restores all things back into the right relationship with God (2 Corinthians 5 and 6) through us.
In the New Testament, Jesus crystallizes this mission in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20), commanding God’s disciples to “go therefore and make disciples of all nations.” This call to being missional underscores the Church’s call to spread the Gospel, a mandate that resonates profoundly during the Advent season. A mandate that begins with us, to again commit to follow the way of Jesus and then to live in a way that opens this way for others. We look forward again to the miracle of the arrival of the hoped-for Emmanuel, and we await with Mary in expectant hope of this coming, recognizing this as the fulfilment of God’s mission to save and redeem through the love of God.
During Advent, the mission aspect of the season becomes particularly relevant. It is a time when the Church is called to embody the hope and joy of the Gospel, extending love and service to others in our neighbourhoods. The act of waiting for Christ’s return is not a passive endeavour; it compels believers to actively engage in their communities, reflecting the light of Christ in a world often shrouded in darkness. As Jesus is to be sent into the world as the Messiah, coming in love but total powerlessness, so we as followers are sent into the world to be part of God’s love mission on this earth. Saying all of this though, we are called to be loving fruit in the world, not dispassionate second-hand car salespersons selling Christianity as if it is a consumer product. Not as fundamentalist nuts, but instead modelling our engagement with those who are not Christian or have fallen out of the way of following God, in the loving way Jesus did— full of humility and loving kindness trusting that through us, God’s Kingdom is manifested.
The themes of hope, peace, joy, and love—traditionally associated with each week of Advent—can serve as guiding principles for our missionality, as we live out our faith in the context of the world. For instance, the hope we celebrate in Advent should inspire acts of compassion and mission, as we share the reality of the Good News of God with all, including those who are lonely, isolated, marginalized, or suffering. The peace of Christ calls us to be peacemakers in our communities, working towards reconciliation and understanding. This is a challenge for many parts of our diocese, where there is a considerable amount of unhappy and dissatisfied people who feel victimized by the way our world is. This includes the reality of a crisis in many communities, the toxic combination of acute mental health issues, unemployment or insecure employment, addiction, and homelessness. So being missional is not just about social justice projects, but about how we live, our being faithful to Jesus as sources of loving kindness and hope in a time of ongoing cultural crises.
Choosing to live this way in a missional advent focus of hope, not only meets the immediate needs of people but also creates opportunities for meaningful conversations about faith and the reason for our hope. Another practical expression of mission can be found in the tradition of Advent calendars, which can be adapted to include daily acts of kindness or prayers for specific individuals or communities in need. This reinforces the idea that each day is an opportunity to reflect Christ’s love and light.
As we celebrate Advent, Christians are reminded that the birth of Jesus is more than just a historical event; it is the embodiment of God’s mission to humanity. Jesus came to bring life, to heal, and to reconcile us to God. This mission is now entrusted to God’s followers which through the generations, includes us, who are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus in the world.
Understanding the missional focus of Advent serves as a powerful reminder of the intrinsic connection between anticipation and mission. As we prepare to celebrate Christ’s birth, we are called to actively participate in God’s redemptive work in the world. Embracing this mission can transform our Advent observance from mere tradition into a vibrant expression of faith, embodying the hope and love that Jesus Christ brought into the world. By focusing on mission during this sacred season, we not only honour the gift of Christ’s birth but also extend this gift to others, including people we do not know in moments of connection, those who are acquaintances, and those who are our friends. We then, by choosing to live this way, reflect the light of God’s love in a world that desperately needs it.
Prayer for a Missional Advent
Gracious God, as we enter this season of Advent, open our hearts to your call.
Help us to be bearers of your light in a world longing for hope. Inspire us to reach out to those in need, to share the joy of your coming with those who feel lost or forgotten. May our preparations for Christ’s birth lead us to serve others, reflecting your love in all we do. Grant us courage to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with you. Amen.
Advent, the Season for Being Missionally Minded
Advent, a season marked by anticipation and preparation, invites Christians to reflect on the dual themes of hope and mission. As we await the celebration of Christ’s birth in the feast of the ‘Christ-Mass’ the call to mission becomes more pronounced, reminding us of the purpose behind the coming of Jesus into the world.
Advent spans four weeks leading up to Christmas, beginning in days of darkness that remind us of the desert and Jesus’ preparation for his ministry. It is a time of prayer, reflection, and awaiting. In this context, we are encouraged to prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of Christ, both in the celebration of His birth and in the anticipation of His second coming.
The biblical basis for mission in the season of Advent can be traced back to the Old Testament, where God called out to Abraham to be a blessing to the nations, setting a precedence for God’s overarching plan for humanity. In Genesis 12:1-3, God promises Abraham that through him, all nations will be blessed. This foundational call signifies that God’s intention has always been to encompass the entire world as God restores all things back into the right relationship with God (2 Corinthians 5 and 6) through us.
In the New Testament, Jesus crystallizes this mission in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20), commanding God’s disciples to “go therefore and make disciples of all nations.” This call to being missional underscores the Church’s call to spread the Gospel, a mandate that resonates profoundly during the Advent season. A mandate that begins with us, to again commit to follow the way of Jesus and then to live in a way that opens this way for others. We look forward again to the miracle of the arrival of the hoped-for Emmanuel, and we await with Mary in expectant hope of this coming, recognizing this as the fulfilment of God’s mission to save and redeem through the love of God.
During Advent, the mission aspect of the season becomes particularly relevant. It is a time when the Church is called to embody the hope and joy of the Gospel, extending love and service to others in our neighbourhoods. The act of waiting for Christ’s return is not a passive endeavour; it compels believers to actively engage in their communities, reflecting the light of Christ in a world often shrouded in darkness. As Jesus is to be sent into the world as the Messiah, coming in love but total powerlessness, so we as followers are sent into the world to be part of God’s love mission on this earth. Saying all of this though, we are called to be loving fruit in the world, not dispassionate second-hand car salespersons selling Christianity as if it is a consumer product. Not as fundamentalist nuts, but instead modelling our engagement with those who are not Christian or have fallen out of the way of following God, in the loving way Jesus did— full of humility and loving kindness trusting that through us, God’s Kingdom is manifested.
The themes of hope, peace, joy, and love—traditionally associated with each week of Advent—can serve as guiding principles for our missionality, as we live out our faith in the context of the world. For instance, the hope we celebrate in Advent should inspire acts of compassion and mission, as we share the reality of the Good News of God with all, including those who are lonely, isolated, marginalized, or suffering. The peace of Christ calls us to be peacemakers in our communities, working towards reconciliation and understanding. This is a challenge for many parts of our diocese, where there is a considerable amount of unhappy and dissatisfied people who feel victimized by the way our world is. This includes the reality of a crisis in many communities, the toxic combination of acute mental health issues, unemployment or insecure employment, addiction, and homelessness. So being missional is not just about social justice projects, but about how we live, our being faithful to Jesus as sources of loving kindness and hope in a time of ongoing cultural crises.
Choosing to live this way in a missional advent focus of hope, not only meets the immediate needs of people but also creates opportunities for meaningful conversations about faith and the reason for our hope. Another practical expression of mission can be found in the tradition of Advent calendars, which can be adapted to include daily acts of kindness or prayers for specific individuals or communities in need. This reinforces the idea that each day is an opportunity to reflect Christ’s love and light.
As we celebrate Advent, Christians are reminded that the birth of Jesus is more than just a historical event; it is the embodiment of God’s mission to humanity. Jesus came to bring life, to heal, and to reconcile us to God. This mission is now entrusted to God’s followers which through the generations, includes us, who are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus in the world.
Understanding the missional focus of Advent serves as a powerful reminder of the intrinsic connection between anticipation and mission. As we prepare to celebrate Christ’s birth, we are called to actively participate in God’s redemptive work in the world. Embracing this mission can transform our Advent observance from mere tradition into a vibrant expression of faith, embodying the hope and love that Jesus Christ brought into the world. By focusing on mission during this sacred season, we not only honour the gift of Christ’s birth but also extend this gift to others, including people we do not know in moments of connection, those who are acquaintances, and those who are our friends. We then, by choosing to live this way, reflect the light of God’s love in a world that desperately needs it.
Prayer for a Missional Advent
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