(Hebrew Scriptures: TNK; New Testament: REB; except as noted.)

1Ths. 5: 16 - 24

Always be joyful; pray continually; give thanks whatever happens; for this is what God wills for you in Christ Jesus. (16-18) It is said that the Torah contains 613 commands; I wonder if anyone has ever counted how many there are in the N.T. Paul issues three here, and wholly in the spirit of Torah; the "laws" are not onerous tasks that "have to be done", but blessings to be enjoyed.

Always be joyful! That's an order! Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! (Php. 4: 4, NIV) These are imperatives, Christian! Why do so many neglect to obey? Rejoice, pray, give thanks; are not these commands most appropriate for us during Advent, while we await (again) the birth of our Lord and Savior?

Isa. 61: 1 - 4, 8 - 11

But there is more to Advent than just standing around, waiting.

For All Saints Day, the Psalmist wrote:

In our Musings (aASt), we noted that we already are saints-- consecrated people-- not because of our merit or good works, but because this is what God wills for [us] in Christ Jesus. But there is much more to it than that. We have been sanctified for a reason: that we may Fear the LORD. Now this is not simply a ploy by YHWH to coax or coerce us into worship. Rather, in God's grace, the purpose is us-directed: Fear the LORD... for those who fear [YHWH] lack nothing. Think about that for a moment.

Now read Isaiah's lines in reverse: the LORD has anointed me by giving me everything I shall ever need: The spirit of the Lord God. On All Saints Day, our consecration was connected to the Beatitudes, Jesus' proclamation of blessing upon His followers. Rejoice, Christian! What more could you want? By God's grace, you lack nothing. You are blessed!

This fact-- if you can, in faith, accept it as reality for your life-- this truth should bring you exuberant joy, exquisite calm. 'Peace is my parting gift to you, my own peace, such as the world cannot give. Set your troubled hearts at rest, and banish your fears.' (Jn. 14: 27) 'I have told you all this so that in me you may find peace. In the world you will have suffering. But take heart! I have conquered the world.' (Jn. 16: 33) Truly, you are blessed!

This blessing-- consecration-- is meant for our enjoyment, certainly. But, as the Prophet teaches, YHWH also has another purpose in mind:

These words are frequently interpreted as a description of Jesus' mission, but they are also-- and perhaps more poignantly-- our mission statement. Yours and mine. We have been consecrated, anointed, sanctified, in order to enable us to pass God's blessings on to others. We may not simply sit back and "count our blessings"; we have been given the responsibility of spreading them around. Christian, this is God's Word: you are blessed: The spirit of the Lord God is upon [you].

Psa. 126

[1- 3, 5 - 6, my choice]

As occasionally found in the Psalms and Prophets, YHWH's blessings are mentioned first, then come the working orders. And for good reason: assurance and hope of the future. These are not the results or rewards for what we shall do, but the incentive to spur us into action. In this Psalm, remarkably, our instructions are conveyed in terms of the promise:

Yes, you have been blessed, that, by being a blessing, you may be further blessed.

John 1: 6 - 8, 19 - 28

There appeared a man named John. He was sent from God, and came as a witness to testify to the light, so that through him all might become believers. (6-7) This is the testimony John gave (19): 'I am a voice crying in the wilderness, "Make straight the way for the Lord."' (23)

How does one Make straight the way for the Lord? Certainly, it has much to do with preparing one's own heart, and this is a legitimate focus for the Advent season. But it also has much to do with our mission, what God expects from us, our labor in the vineyard. And Isaiah has laid out a general plan of action for us to follow. There is more to Advent than just standing around, waiting.

Yes, you have been blessed-- anointed-- by God. And this is why:

There appeared a person named ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ (insert your name). I was sent from God, and came as a witness to testify to the light, so that through me others might become believers. And this is the testimony I gave:

Happy Advent!

Please feel free to utilize anything from these pages; just give me whatever credit may be due and God the Glory, Praise and Thanks.

(comments to Phil at ENAPXH@aol.com )