By Abigail Nafziger, head of technical services, serials and systems
Scripture: Matthew 11:2-11 (NRSV)
I first discovered the season of Advent when my family and I moved to Goshen when I was ten. I quickly fell in love. Starting church in the dark, watching candles multiply in number and singing songs of waiting and hope deepened my anticipation of Christmas.
My most memorable Advent was in the winter of 2001. The events of 9/11, the looming wars, the fear and hatred that swept the globe and the death of so many innocents weighed heavily on me. I was a senior in high school and had been participating in my church’s baptism class, wrestling with questions of faith, commitment and identity. Was I ready to take this public step of committing to Christianity? In the face of so much extremism and hate, was religion really the answer?
One of the class discussions that helped me the most was the idea that baptism did not represent the ending of all my doubts, fears and questions, but more the commitment to continuing to work with them in the bounds of this specific Christian community. This idea that I could commit myself to Christianity while continuing to work out the struggles of my faith gave me the confidence to proceed with baptism. Out of step with the traditional liturgical calendar, but perfectly timed for that particular season, myself and several of my classmates were baptized that Advent.
Many years later, I continue to love Advent. Not only for the rituals of quiet reflection and waiting, but for its reminder of my own commitment to reject fear, throw off doubt and embrace my faith. To continue to strive to make this world one where “the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised and the poor have good news brought to them.”
Scripture: Matthew 11:2-11 (NRSV)
When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples 3and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” 4Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. 6And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”
7As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? 8What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. 9What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10This is the one about whom it is written, ‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ 11Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.