I love Advent!
[Zech. 9:9-10; Rev. 5:1-5; Mt. 21:1-9]
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nNt1Qj4MA6M (0'00''-3'00'')
"Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!
Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold thy King cometh on to thee." (Zech. 9:9a)
This aria is part of George Frederick Handel's oratorio 'Messiah' (1741), and is the first aria of scene five of part one, composed for soprano.
Part one is usually nicknamed the 'Christmas part', as it includes those prophesies from Zechariah -as we've read this morning- and of Isaiah about the coming of the Messiah, the anointed, the Christ, into the world.
Now we might think it a little odd to be reading texts on the First Sunday in Advent which we usually associate with the events of Holy Week; surely the donkey and the hosannas belong on Palm Sunday?!
It's a scene in Saint Matthew's gospel which follows Jesus' third prophesy of his own death; and we're reading these verses in the period leading up to Christmas when we celebrate his birth?
Isn't that a little -or a lot- strange?! Did we get the order in the story muddled up?!
However, traditionally the First Sunday in Advent has been the Sunday when the texts, hymns and prayers have focussed on Jesus' second coming, on his return "...to judge the living and the dead." as we will profess in the Apostles' Creed later on.
For many Christians that second coming, that Judgement Day, is filled with doom and gloom, fire and brimstone, and dread.
But does it have to be?
In Revelation this morning we're assured that the one who is finally able to open the seven seals is none other than the Lion of Judah, the Root of David himself, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, our Messiah, our God-man.
Just as at his first coming, his birth, Jesus will return to judge, but his judgement will be fair and uncorrupted, it will be a judgement covered in understanding and mercy, love and endless forgiveness.
"He is the righteous saviour.", the soprano sings.
Just as at his first coming, Jesus' return will mean completion and wholeness, restoration, not utter destruction but life eternal, not to abandon in despair but to create new life.
As our Lord said: "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (Jn. 10:10b)
In Christ we'll have a judge who as God-man empathises with and acknowledges completely our human frailty and weaknesses.
Christ understands! Christ knows!
So when we, like the people in Jesus' time, stand by the roadside, we too are allowed and invited to shout our hosannas to the coming Messiah, be he a helpless baby, a kind king or a supreme judge.
'Hosanna', hoshia-na in Hebrew, means 'help!' or 'save me, I pray!'; but it's not just a plea, it's also an expression of praise and joy, because our King comes to us in mercy and with compassion; first in an insignificant stable in an insignificant town in an insignificant part of the vast and powerful Roman Empire; secondly as the mighty pantokrater, the ruler of the universe, with the angels and the clouds and the calls of the bassoon.
Both events, both narratives are events and narratives of hope, of life, which are told to uplift and inspire us, not to depress us or make us shake in our boots with dread!
Because that's not the kind of God we worship, that's not the kind of heavenly Father we adore and bless!
Certainly, we can't just go out and do whatever we please, our sins will be pointed out to us and we're all in need of forgiveness.
However, the texts from the prophet Zechariah and the evangelist Matthew today assure us that in all this we're not defined nor determined by our shortcomings and mistakes!
God always takes the first step, or in this case the first donkey!
God always comes to us, regardless, time and time again!
God always hears our 'please help me!' but also rejoices in our 'bless you Father, thank you!'
"He shall speak peace unto the heathen.", the aria goes on.
Peace in our world, peace in our lives, our relationships, our body and soul and mind.
Advent gives us this time of preparation and we might wish to try something new in order to prepare: a renewed reading of Scripture, charity work, Confession and Absolution, rekindling old connections, a Food Bank donation... in whatever way we'll invest our time and energy, big or small, we can be sure God will come to us!
The Messiah, our Christ is coming, in Advent, at Christmas, but also every single day!
Hosanna, Lord, hosanna, come Lord Jesus!
Jesus i sin stora barmärtighet kommer till oss i Advent, Jul och varje dag.
And the peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.