Tues., December 5, 2023

The Rev. AARON B. JENKYN

HOW LONG MUST WE ENDURE?

The Rev. Aaron Jenkyn preaches on the Gospel of Mark 13:24-37.

As winter solstice drawers near our days are getting short and the nights long. There is much turmoil in the world, as much now as there was when the Prophet Isaiah and the psalmist cried out:

“How Long O Lord? How long must we endure?”

“O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, so that the mountains would quake at your presence—

“Restore us, O God of hosts; show the light of you countenance, and we shall be saved.”

These are the words that rise up through the darkness, crack open our hearts, stir up our desire, acknowledge our dependence and calls into being our communion with God. If only we let them.

How does an ancient practice of lament help us to prepare for Christmas? How do we help the next generation (and each other) better understand the Christmas story?