Note from the editor:
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Messy Jesus Business podcast and blog schedule have been switched around this month. Check back the next two weeks for our final podcast episodes, with many more blog posts to follow!
Modern Christians often fail to discuss that the Christian Church was established during a time of widespread violence and persecution. Our creeds were drafted, faith traditions formed, and the community of believers expanded during a time when it was risky to declare that Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace. We seem to forget that Christian devotion was never about being comfortable, cozy, or complacent.
We often fail to proclaim that living the Gospel, following The Way of Christ, is meant to be dangerous.
For about the first 300 years of Christianity, the Pax Christi (Peace of Christ) that Christians professed was in stark contrast to Pax Romana (Peace of Rome) that defined the structures of the Roman empire. The founder of Christianity, Jesus Christ, repeatedly told his followers to “be not afraid.” Meanwhile, the governmental structures of the time ruled through fear: controlling the populace with oppression by taxation, slavery, and ongoing threats and violence.
A read-through of the New Testament reminds the modern believer that the early Christians were not only dealing with violence and persecution, but they were filled with a fierce hope that Jesus Christ was about to return. (See 1 Peter 4; James 5:7-9; 2 Thessalonians 2; John 5:28-29; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 9:28 and elsewhere.)
Let love be sincere; hate what is evil, hold on to what is good;love one another with mutual affection; anticipate one another in showing honor.Do not grow slack in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer.Contribute to the needs of the holy ones, exercise hospitality.Bless those who persecute [you], bless and do not curse them.Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.Have the same regard for one another; do not be haughty but associate with the lowly; do not be wise in your own estimation.Do not repay anyone evil for evil; be concerned for what is noble in the sight of all.If possible, on your part, live at peace with all.
--Romans 12:9-18
The early Church mothers and fathers were motivated to be moral because they wanted to be ready for Jesus’ return, they wanted to be “caught doing good.” Their hope for Jesus’ return motivated them to be generous, hospitable, prayerful, and bold in their acts of compassion, mercy, and justice, finding ways to include the outcast, the poor, ill, and migrants into their underground, subversive communities. They understood that those in need were the face of Christ.
Photo by Kenta Kikuchi on Unsplash
Compare these foundations of Christianity to Advent in the United States nowadays. Christians often avoid the discomfort of our faith. Instead, we succumb to the cozy culture of commercialized Christmas: trendy décor, consumerism, waste, and general gluttony. See the examples of the silly and expensive so-called Advent calendars to see how far we have drifted from the Tradition of resisting the violence of empire and having hope in Jesus alone.
Nowadays, those who are comfortable feast on the festive feelings while gaps grow between rich and poor, families are torn apart, people are detained and tortured, and the US government protects the interests of billionaires and the war machine. Bombs are falling and systems are collapsing, yet we snuggle into the sofa to be numbed by sugared Hallmark holiday cheer.
Here's the thing: I like being cozy and comfortable too. I believe in the power of sabbath, rest, and retreat. And, during the Advent season, I love lighting candles, singing along with cheery music, baking cookies, writing cards and notes, and visiting people I love. When I pray at home during the Advent season, I’m usually snuggled into a fluffy blanket. I have more than enough to eat, and don’t fear a raid, detention, or warfare. The calm and quiet is so ordinary, that I could easily take it for granted. If I am not staying awake, I could quickly cocoon into safety and avoidance.
What is the nature of a soul that is waiting for the return of Jesus Christ? If we remain rooted in our faith tradition, Advent actions will move us from the sacred stillness to a spirit of bold generosity and compassion. We give up our plans and preferences for the sake of the other. I was reminded of this recently as I accompanied a couple people dear to me through surgeries and recoveries and then some Emergency Room visits. To be present and centered on what’s most important– such as compassion for another—I had to adjust and be flexible, changing the date of a podcast interview and the release of an episode.This may not be a radical act, but it was a great reminder for me about the need to be ready, open, and available for whatever newness Christ is sending.
Photo by Duncan Shaffer on Unsplash
As we wait and prepare for the coming of Christ, let’s remember the faith of our ancestors who were resisting tyranny and oppression by staying devoted to nonviolent Christian love and accepting the cost of commitment. We even may need to expect persecution as we risk comfort for the sake of the other. Let’s give what we can to those in need.
Let’s not worry about what we will receive, or the fruits of our efforts; let’s put our trust in God’s goodness. And then, awake to Christ already with us and with hope in the coming of Christ, let’s stay faithful to our mission to love.
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