Advent 1, Year A, November 27, 2005
Isaiah 64:1-9a, Psalm 80, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, Mark 13:24-37

Who Knows What’s Coming?
The Rev. Jonathan Hutchison – Vicar, St. David's, Bean Blossom, Indiana

Advent means “coming”. Someone’s coming. Do you know? God knows.

And the prophet says: “Come, Artisan of the world. You made us once before, but we are broken; make us once again. We are like new clay in your potter’s hands, waiting to be formed and shaped into holy vessels. We call you Father, for we come from you. For you are faithful and come for us.”

Someone’s coming. Do you know? God knows.

And the psalmist says: “Come, Light of the world, show us your shining face. Light our way and save us. Or, he says, “Come, Vinedresser; you have planted us, but we have gone wild. Tend us, restore us; preserve what your right hand has planted.”

Someone’s coming. Do you know? God knows.

And the apostle says: “Come, Giver of Strength, bestowing gifts to bear witness and suffering, as we wait to for you to show yourself.

Someone’s coming. Do you know? God knows.

And the evangelist says: “Come, Son of Man, in this hour of terror and trial, come with glory and power to seek us out and gather us, for we are scattered to the four winds.

Someone’s coming: Maker, shaper, illuminator…gardener, savior, rejuvenator. And now, we know.

~ Advent means “coming”. Something’s coming. Do you know? God knows.

The prophet says: “A sudden rending of the separating veil, descent of power that all might quail before the fire that consumes…and transforms. A new creation from the old, absent all its former flaws.

Something’s coming. Do you know? God knows.

And the psalmist says: “Restoration of those who mourn, those plundered and trampled underfoot. Restoration of God’s broken heart and ours, the divine friendship…life itself.”

Something’s coming. Do you know? God knows.

And the apostle says: “the end of all things, judgment, mercy, full union with the one who comes.”

Something’s coming. Do you know? God knows.

And the evangelist says: “Utter change, all sure things shaken, the outer world and the world within…sudden, without warning…not a time for dreams, but mindful toil.”

Something’s coming: Rending, ending and repairing…new beginning. And now, we know.

~ Advent means “coming”. Do you know when? God knows.

Prophet says ,with psalmist: “How long?…hurry…come soon!” Apostle says, with evangelist: “In your good time, Faithful One, all in your good time.”

~ Advent means “coming”. Do you know where? God knows.

Prophet, psalmist, apostle and evangelist speak as one: this coming covers the earth and all that are in it, families, clans, nations, species. In ancient mangers and in hearts today. In this place and every place. And now, we know.

~ Advent means “coming” What shall we do? God knows. Prophet says, with psalmist: “Call upon the holy Name…seek pardon…be reconciled. Turn again and be remade.” Apostle says, with Evangelist: “Answer the call of service, the call of holiness, the call of community with Christ. Give thanks. Receive holy gifts. Be strong. Wait, watch, work and wonder.”

~ Advent means “coming”. God knows what’s coming, where and when. God says simply, “Keep awake!” and in good time, you will know. AMEN