Philippians 1:3-11
While writing from prison, Paul praises the members of the church at Philippi as his “partners in God’s grace,” and makes it clear that this partnership is sustaining him. It is this level of genuine care that exists between Paul and the church that accounts for the intimate tone of the letter. Every time he thought of them, every time he prayed for them, he was thankful. His bond with the congregation at Philippi is one of sincere affection…created by a long-standing relationship.
As Christmas draws near, the demands of the season make it easy to turn inward and not pay much attention to the community that sustains us. It is hard to think much about our collective needs, when our own families and friends take up so much of our attention. Yet, in the midst of all the gift shopping and family visits, we are reminded, invited even, to remember our reliance on each other.
Lately I’ve really struggled with the choice of scripture during Advent. This is a season when the culture and the sacred really collide. Everywhere we go, we hear Christmas carols, but in the church, we aren’t there yet. In the church we sing about longing and expectation. This is our season to prepare for the birth…the not yet, but soon.
And then after Christmas day we enter into what is known in the church as the season of Christmastide. Now we get to sing all the carols, and our scripture texts turn to the birth narratives!! It may make good worship sense, but, unfortunately, our culture will declare Christmas over on December 26th, and we haven’t even begun to tell our stories. We have the 12 days of Christmas in which to do that. And then we celebrate Epiphany.
The thing I find most appropriate for this season is what Paul says in verse 6… “I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.” Paul expected that Jesus would return soon, likely in his lifetime, and God would bring the work of the little Philippian church to completion. Paul was wrong. The day of Christ did not come then and has not yet come in the shape he expected, they all expected, and the work of the church has not yet come to completion.
And so it is, Advent puts our wait for the day of Christ into a clearer perspective. Paul seems to be saying that prayer, love, knowledge, and insight will best help us to be prepared for his presence and for understanding that all life and all work will come to completion in God. Our genuine partnership and affection lead us to a clear reliance on one another in the process.
Rev. Dr. Debi Powell-Maxwell
12/8/2024
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