As a Synod, reflecting on church life, the church calendar, and its meaning, it is hard to believe we have arrived at Advent and Christmas. At a recent Consistory training session, I explained to Elders and Deacons the difference between the Church Calendar and the normal lunar calendar. The joy of acknowledging the end of the church year with a celebration called Christ the King Sunday and beginning the next Sunday, which is the first Sunday of Advent, to begin a new church calendar year is amazing.
The first Sunday of Advent allows us to focus our thoughts on hope. For me, the Christian traditions end every church year with Christ the King Sunday is a time to acknowledge the Kingship of Jesus before Advent and the Joy of The King of all Creation as we retell the story of the King in a manger.
Advent also reminds us that we anticipate the return of the Lord Jesus, as prophesied. Until that day, we will be about God’s Ministry and Mission, guided by the Holy Spirit. We rekindle the stories of Bethlehem, and we reflect on the scriptures. I am blessed with Jeremiah’s application of the Shepherd as a description of the True King living in an age of brokenness, greed, oppression, racism, injustice, and wilderness ills that caused the fall of God’s People.
We continue to experience some of the same brokenness, greed, oppression, and injustices today. In a recent Church Conference in our Regional Synod, some expressed concerns about the recent Election in our nation and the impact it may have on those living in the margins. In the wake of the election, some members of our Synod are still working through feelings of mourning, disbelief, and even anger, where others have expressed their faith in the elected candidates to bring hope to the nation. As a church leader, I am grappling with the profound implications of this outcome for our churches, our neighbors, our loved ones, and our country, especially as Classes are undergoing tremendous confusion and complexities on the proposed RCA Restructuring Changes, without clear directives.
In Jeremiah’s day, amid hopelessness the Prophet proclaims a new thing and expectation for a new king of kings who is righteous and just, a king that Christians find fully realized in Christ Jesus. What a mighty King we serve, whose ethic is “to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with God.” (Micah 6:8) This is the model we are called to emulate.
“I am the light of the world” the angels said to the shepherds, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people, for there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger” (Luke 2:10–12). The next verse tells us that the angels praised God saying, “Glory to God in the highest” (Luke 2:13).
RSNY members have been forced to confront crises and setbacks before, and each time, we have shown what makes us great in our faith tradition. During the conference, I encouraged our members that in times like this, Faithful members support each other, refuse to give up, and are defiant in the face of hate and changes in our polity. As a Synod, we are called to an Advent Season. Advent calls us to an expectation of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love years ahead.
As your Executive Minister, I want you to know that after a tumultuous year in our church communities, there is comfort to be found when we pause to read, pray, and reflect throughout the Advent season in which believers eagerly anticipate the celebration of Christ’s birth. This Advent Season, we anticipate celebrating Jesus’ birth in a time of global warming, blazing fire storms, winter’s cold, unable to pay pastors, unexpected church expenses, and other boisterous in our churches. Yet there is still good news. We are thankful for the good news that in the State of New York, New Yorkers voted overwhelmingly to approve Proposition 1, which enshrines reproductive rights in our state constitution. The measure will also add protection against discrimination based on ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, and sexual differences.
As we usher in the next church year, 2024-2025, we celebrate Christ’s messianic kingship and sovereign rule over all creation in our mess. Jesus is not just “a king” but “the King.” Our call as Christians is to follow and honor God’s Grace and Love.
As a Synod, I hope that we grow in our awareness of the meaning of the Kingship of a loving Savior and Redeemer in our daily bread and hope to face the challenges of being children of the King in the Creation of the Heavens and the Earth.
Continue to seek care for your Spirit and Health as we welcome the Advent and Christmas Seasons of the church.
Advent blessings,
Rev. Dr. Micheal Edwards, Executive Minister