An Advent Reset

I had to call technical support for my phone last week. Since there have been some software updates, all of my devices weren’t “talking” to each other like they should. One of the first things the technician had me do was turn off both of the devices in question to reset them, then turn them back on. It worked, as it often does.  When we observe Advent, and take the time to light the candles and meditate on the themes, we turn off some of the noise around us and focus one the real reason we celebrate. It’s an Advent reset.

 During the first centuries of the church, Advent wasn’t a jovial season of parties and feasting. Instead, it was a time of fasting and introspection. New converts were often baptized on Christmas, and in days when martyrdom was commonplace, these new believers needed time to consider their decision. This was an Advent reset, a time to consider their commitment.  

This solemnity has been lost in our society. Christmas itself has lost much of its meaning as it has been popularized and secularized to the point of near meaninglessness. I’ve seen shirts that declare BELIEVE. But believe in what? In the incarnation? Or Santa Claus? Or maybe it’s chocolate? 

What do dog treats and fountain pen ink have in common? 

Last month, I looked for an Advent calendar. I found calendars celebrating comic characters and popular films, calendars filled with chocolate, wine, dog treats and even fountain pen ink. But I didn’t find an Advent calendar that focused on Jesus.  So I turned to the gospels for answers. Come to think of it, that’s a good place to begin. 

A Faith Advent Reset

Luke begins his gospel with the story of Zacharias, a pious old priest who allowed his faith to dwindle. Both he and his wife were pious, yet they had been deprived of the one sign of God’s blessing that they longed for the most. In a time when infertility was considered a curse, they were childless. And they were too old for that to change without divine intervention.

I understand why Zacharias asked Gabriel for a sign. It had been 600 years since the last prophet had spoken for God. Israel was under the dominion of Rome, and Herod, the puppet king of Israel was a descendant of Esau, not Judah. On a more personal note, God seemed to have turned a deaf ear on the petitions of this aged cleric. He had resigned himself to die childless.

Don’t you know who I am? 

Gabriel’s declaration seemed harsh. “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God! It was he who sent me to bring you this good news! But now since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born.” But Zacharias was a priest who had dedicated his life to the study of Torah. He more than most Israelites knew of God’s history of faithfulness with his people. He knew the Messianic prophecies. Yet instead of laughing in delight that he would be part of Messiah’s grand entrance, he allowed doubt to cloud his spiritual vision. I’m not saying that Zacharias had no faith.

But in the most critical moment of his life, he allowed doubt to rule. Gabriel’s rebuke was a reset. Zacharias didn’t miss out on fathering John.  But  he missed out on the joy he could have had sharing his story because his faith wavered  in a critical moment.

Mary was different

In contrast, Mary was a young woman barely of childbearing age. She hadn’t studied Torah for decades as Zacharias had. Her first response seems to be more of puzzlement than unbelief, reminding God’s messenger of basic biology. “How can this be since I am a virgin?”. But her attitude was one of faith and submission. “So be it unto me according to your word.” In that moment, she acted in faith, and prepared to keep acting in faith. She didn’t ruminate on how tough her assignment was, on how she would tell Joseph, or anything else. She just accepted the angel’s word. 

A worship Advent reset

Many people responded to the news of Christmas with worship. Mary, Elizabeth, Zacharias, the shepherds all praised God when they heard the news. But for Anna the prophetess to whom Luke introduces us, worship was what she did every day. Worship had become a lifestyle.

Her life had been difficult. Her husband died just seven years into her marriage.  Instead of remarrying, she had come to the Temple of God to serve. Luke tells us that she had devoted herself to prayer, fasting and worship. At the age of 87, she had doubtless outlived most of her contemporaries, but she continued in the practices that she knew honored God. 

And God rewarded her by allowing her to see Jesus when Mary and Joseph brought him to the temple to be dedicated to God. We are not told what she said, but she praised God in the moment, and she shared the good news with anyone else who would listen.
Her years of worship provided a reset from her difficult beginnings. 

Anna had lived a life of worship. Often I think of worship as something I do on Sunday morning or in the moments I spend praising God in my quiet time. But for Anna, everything she did was worship. And when she got a chance to see behind the veil of God’s plan for the ages, she didn’t falter. She praised God and she told others.

When God shows up in my life, I want to be ready to respond well. I can reset my mind by establishing good spiritual disciplines like praying, reading God’s word and worshiping Him even when it’s hard. If I live my life this way, I have a good chance of responding well to God moments in my life. 

An Advent reset for generosity

Some of the most enigmatic figures in the Christmas story are the wise men. We don’t know their back story. All Matthew tells us is that they were magi from the east, and they came looking for the new king of the Jews. And they brought expensive gifts.  

We imagine there were three of them because they brought three gifts. But surely three strangers wouldn’t have caused an uproar in Jerusalem. I think it’s possible they came from somewhere in the Persian empire, and knew Daniel’s prophecies. 

Regardless, they put their lives on hold to embark on a months long journey to see this prophesied king and to honor Him with gifts. They can teach us something about generosity. 

During the Christmas season, we give more. But it’s not really an advent reset since we often return to our old way of thinking.  The average non-profit agency in the United States raises forty percent of its income in December. Of course, not everyone gives because it’s Christmas. Some want tax deductions. Many give impulsively, responding to a well crafted appeal. 

The wise men didn’t click a button or write a check. Instead, they went to see for themselves, preparing for a trip that took months. They reset their entire lives for  a dangerous journey that would cost far more than the treasures they packed as gifts. These men were pagans, possibly astrologers. But God honored their persistence and let them see Jesus. 

Generosity is more than just writing a check. Ore perhaps you’re like me and don’t write checks anymore. We click buttons on our phones. I don’t know of many ministries that will turn down my money. But they won’t refuse my time either. I want my generosity to be holistic, not just numbers. 

An Advent reset can change everything. Or not.

Have you ever wondered what happened to the wise men when they returned home? After all, they had seen the Messiah, and God had sent them dreams so Jeusu, Mary and Joseph could  escape Herod’s terror. 

We never hear from Zacharias or Elizabeth again after John was born. We don’t know how their Advent reset changed them. 

Many of us take time out to light candles and meditate on hope, peace,, joy and love during the Christmas season. But we don’t allow God to reset us, to change us. I want to experience an Advent reset. Faith, worship and generosity are things I need year round. So I’m going to ask God to reset my mind according to these virtues.