Monday
Luke 4.18-19 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”
Jesus quoted Isaiah’s words in his first sermon. This might not seem like an Advent text, but it inspired one of our Advent hymns about the promised Saviour. Good news lies at the living centre of Christmas – it’s Luke who records the angels’ song about “Good tidings of great joy.” Philip Doddridge, the author of “Hark the glad sound! The Saviour comes” helps us imagine what the good news would look like in practice, and to recognise the grace of the One who was God’s good news in person.
Tuesday
Hark the glad sound! The Saviour comes, the Saviour promised long;
Let every heart prepare a throne, and every voice a song.
When Paul told the Corinthians that in Jesus all God’s promises are Yes, he too was echoing the good news of Advent. The long wait for the coming of God in Christ is over, and Advent is our annual celebration that God keeps His promises. And if you ever wonder what you’re supposed to do with these four weeks leading to Christmas day, and how to make Advent something practical, then Doddridge has some good spiritual advice – “Let every heart prepare a throne and every voice a song.”
Wednesday
On Him the Spirit largely pour’d exerts its sacred Fire;
Wisdom and Might and Zeal and Love His holy breast inspire.
This verse is usually left out, which is a shame because it’s “a fine description of Christ the inspired preacher”. The Spirit came upon Jesus at his baptism, strengthened him through the long forty days in the wilderness, and now is the guiding energy of his words and work. This carol has nothing to say about the nativity scene and the vulnerability of the Christ child. What the child will become, as Saviour and Immanuel, and what that means for all of humanity, that’s the focus. In this Advent child, is revealed the wisdom, power and zealous love of God.
Thursday
He comes the prisoner to release, in Satan’s bondage held;
The gates of brass before him burst, the iron fetters yield.
Jesus’ first sermon from that Isaiah text comes after the defeat of Satan’s strategies in the wilderness. Satan’s bondage is strong, but Jesus loving obedience to God and God’s redemptive purpose is stronger. In his death and resurrection “death is dead, love has won, Christ has conquered” – and that Easter truth is loudly foreshadowed in Advent. “You shall call his name Jesus because he will save his people from their sins.” Because unto us a child is born, whose name is Jesus, we hear the sounds of freedom: “The gates of brass before him burst, the iron fetters yield.”
Friday
He comes from thickest films of vice to clear the mental ray,
And on the eyeballs of the blind to pour celestial day.
When Jesus claims that he is the fulfilment of Isaiah’s promise that the Christ would proclaim and bestow recovery of sight to the blind, he is on dangerous ground. This was in Nazareth. Most people knew him as a local son of a carpenter. But the truth is, Jesus has come as the light of the world, the One who dispels darkness, and reveals in his person the grace and truth and glory of God. “The true light, that gives life to all, was coming into the world.” This too is Advent – our eyes opened so that we too can say, “We have beheld his glory, full of grace and truth.”
Saturday
He comes the broken hearts to bind, the bleeding soul to cure,
And with the treasures of his grace to enrich the humble poor.
Those words were written at a time when medical science was in its infancy, and human life much more exposed to risk from disease, poverty and danger. Such risks were a powerful metaphor of human helplessness in sin and suffering. Much has changed – but hearts are still broken, poverty both spiritual and material are no less miserable and demeaning. And our culture still haemorrhages hope and compassion. It may seem far too simplistic to say the answer is Jesus – but Advent dares us to say just that! And then to become an Advent people, ourselves proclaiming the good news, enacting the love of God in Christ, living as light in our time and place, being a community in which Jesus is self-evidently present and active.
Sunday
Our glad hosannas Prince of Peace, Thy welcome shall proclaim,
And heaven’s eternal arches ring with thy beloved name.
Prince of Peace is such a powerful title. “For Jesus himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility…” Peace runs through the Advent season like the letters on Blackpool Rock! ”Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!” To be an Advent people is to be a community of reconciled reconcilers, forgiven forgivers, enlightened light-givers, outspoken apologists for shalom.
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