On Sunday, I stood before the congregation and confessed that I found this Advent (season of expectation and preparation for the birth of Jesus) to be a particularly difficult one in which to preach. I shared that I had read an article about how white people should preach about what is happening in Ferguson, Missouri and around the world. The writer reminded me that you preach to the context of your community - you preach the gospel.

Many of the lessons of Advent are filled with "end time" language. Lots of words about when Jesus returns. The words are almost enough to make listeners forget that Jesus was already given to us as a small child and already grew up and showed us the way to live our lives.

Having said that, it is good to think about what Jesus might see upon a returning to this earth. Would Jesus be pleased at how we treat one another? Would Jesus be pleased about the inequality that surrounds our world? Would Jesus be pleased at the many signs of racism and the lack of folks standing up for a new world and a new day for all?

Don't get me wrong, there is tons of goodness all around us. For the goodness, Jesus would be pleased.

In this context of Grace, I have seen the distress of many as we watch moments in our history that we are not proud of. Individual and personal moments. Communal moments.

What are we to do? It seems to me that we are to be out and about in the world. We are to get out of our congregations, into the sacred spaces of the world and work to mold into the image and likeness of God. God does not call us to make sure our worship is perfect, our buildings are gorgeous, or . . . God calls us to change the world. People of all faith are called to bring a new way of being to "this fragile earth our island home."

"God wants action, born in the transformation of our own lives and carried out in the transformation of our society. God's desire, Amos said, is this: 'Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.'

As it says in Revelation, 'the home of God is among mortals.' Not inside the safe place, but outside, teaching nations to walk by the light of God.

We aren't to be custodians of nostalgia or sacred custom. We are to respond boldly when God says, 'See, I am making all things new.'" (Tom Ehrich, This Advent, will faith stay safe or stand tall?)

May we have the courage to be God's People who get out of our spaces and into the world.

-Shawn