Grace for Our Days
The idea that the year begins in early December instead of January 1 suits me just fine. I’m just contrarian enough to enjoy upsetting the calendar. You see, calendars do more than help us show up on the right day for the dentist; at a deeper level they reflect a world view, even a way of longing for the good life and the right end to things. They are somewhat arbitrary and can be changed, indeed have been. So the Christian calendar is not just different, it contains a contrary vision of the good life from the one that governs so much of our daily life. As Fleming Rutledge—an Episcopal priest and writer—puts it, it’s a Means of Grace (Eerdmans, 2021).
Early December. It is the first Sunday in Advent. What a way to start the year, longing for Jesus. Rutledge begins her collection of devotions with one on Mark 13:33. What? Wait! It seems we’re still waiting. Mark is telling us one of Jesus’ parables, about a doorkeeper. The household was established by a master. He is away, but coming back. Meantime, it is dark and crazy around the house while they wait; and also out there in the neighborhood. You might say, the TV and the papers and the online gossip are full of bad news; with a doubtful end in sight.
The master was there; he’s away; he’s coming back. Jesus has come; Jesus is away; he’s coming back. We’re in between the comings, the Advents. Rutledge writes:
It is the Advent clock that tells the church what time it is. The church that keeps Advent is the church that is most truly herself. The church is not supposed to be prosperous and comfortable and established. It is Advent—it is dark and lonely and cold, and the master is away from home. Yet he will come. Keep awake. (5)
Rutledge goes on like this with a devotion for each Sunday in the year; challenging the accepted wisdom of this age and offering the wisdom of the good news of Jesus. She does it by following the church’s liturgical calendar and its big days: Advent, Nativity, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, Pentecost. She uses the schedule of readings that takes the church through the year, forming people’s loves and visions. Instead of national holidays and Hallmark holidays and their vision of the good life (they can show up if they’ll behave).
The clocks and the calendars: which ones can you trust as you make your way past covid (maybe); which ones will nurture your longings and loves? I’m with Rutledge and the church’s calendar.
—Larry Sibley
