Worship and Arts by Young

The first season of the church year starts with Advent, which comes from a Latin word adventus, meaning “coming.”  Hearing John the Baptist’s cry, “Prepare the way of the Lord,” we want to prepare and wait for Christ’s coming. However, it is easy to lose our minds this time of year.

Thousands of voices tell us to hurry because our extra savings coupon ends tomorrow or that every Friday is Black Friday. We dash here and there.  And as our house is getting decorated, we feel ready for Christmas. Soon after we find that we forgot to breathe, with too much ” doing.”  With too little “being,” we forgot who we are.

I hear John the Baptist’s cry through Macrina Wiederkehr, “O shoppers, dear shoppers hang lights in your hearts instead of on your trees.  For the One we’ve hung our hopes on has come, and now we’re free but only if we see.”  December is a time for transformation from spiritual darkness to encountering the light of the world.

December is also a time of singing and gift-giving. Have there been years you didn’t hear “Hallelujah” chorus or didn’t sing it?  I am certain everybody has as “Hallelujah” chorus is one of certain songs people don’t want to miss in December.

Messiah has touched numerous people spiritually and fed the needy. Handel himself raised thousands of pounds for charity through Messiah concerts. Charles Burney, a historian, noted “Messiah has fed the hungry, clothed the naked, fostered the orphan…more than any other single musical production in this or any other country.” One writer also stated that Messiah‘s music and message has probably done more to convince thousands of mankind that there is a God about us than all the theological works ever written (Patrick Kavanaugh, 1996).

Handel’s story stirs my heart to thank my classmate at Luther Seminary, who has become an ordained pastor. On Christmas Day in 1999, Jane invited my family to her family’s Christmas dinner. I was overwhelmed by her hospitality—making our names on the table, delicious food, and beautifully wrapped gifts prepared by her each family.  Our living room was filled with the gifts—cookies, games, books, clothes etc.

I still remember that my two boys stayed up almost until 2:00 am to play games.  Even though I expressed my deep thanks to her, she might have never known how deep my thanks were.  At that time, I had just started my study at Luther, but I faced great financial difficulties because of Korean economic crisis. Therefore, I pleaded God for scholarship to continue my study. Through her hospitality, I experienced Immanuel, God with us.  I felt as if Jesus was saying, “This is a sign that I heard your cry and saw your tears.” Jane fed Jesus by showing her hospitality to my family: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25: 35-40)

What memories, joys, hopes, or pains are awakened in the season of waiting, Advent?  Is there a specific time when you shared your gifts with those in need, imagining someone’s face filled with happiness?  Lord Jesus, lighten our darkness, so we may share Good News with others and show your love to others.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Young Chung, Interim Ministry Associate