From the Chaplains

From the Chaplains

Advent: HOPE 

What characteristics and mannerisms did you inherit from your parents?  

It’s hard to predict the ways we will bear the image of our parents, isn’t it. Probably one of the most exciting sights of my life was seeing my children for the first time in their 30 week ultrasounds. Hearing their precious heart beats. Wondering things like whether the ultrasound was magnifying the size of their nose (!) or trying to see my eyes in theirs. 

As parents, I imagine we all wonder what physical, intellectual, emotional, and creative attributes our children will be born with, and grow into. 

This past week marked our beginning to the Season of Advent at Pymble. Advent, simply means “Arrival” and refers to the time in the Christian Calendar when we look forward to the arrival of the birth of Jesus, celebrated on Christmas Day. The Advent journey is marked by the lighting of a series of candles, each representing aspects of the Christmas story.  

This past week we lit the candle of hope and spoke about our collective hope in God’s promises. We all had a little chuckle at some of the predictions our parents had for us. And we also were in awe of the 574 predictions or prophecies that God gives to the prophets about the birth of Jesus. 

Imagine that, in his short life of 33 years, Jesus fulfils 574 predictions. Predictions made by people who live over 600 years before his birth. While some of the predictions are general, others are lazar sharp in their accuracy. For example: 

  • A child born to a virgin, named Immanuel, “God with us” (Isaiah 7:14, fulfilled in Matthew 1:23).  
  • A ruler coming from the small town of Bethlehem (Micah 5:2, fulfilled in Matthew 2:6).  
  • Come from Egypt: Hosea 11:1 refers to a son being called out of Egypt, which was later fulfilled when Jesus’s family fled to Egypt.   
  • A king arriving in Jerusalem “lowly and riding upon a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9, fulfilled in John 12:14-15).  
  • Heal the blind and deaf: Isaiah 35:5 and 29:18 predicted that the blind would see and the deaf would hear. 
  • Betrayed for 30 pieces of silver:  Zechariah 11:12-13 prophesied this betrayal, which is detailed in Matthew 26:14-16.  
  • Crucified with criminals: Isaiah 53:12 states the Messiah would be counted among the transgressors. (Luke 23:32) 
  • Hands and feet pierced: Psalm 22:16 describes his hands and feet being pierced, a detail found in the Gospel accounts (John 20:22).   
  • His clothes gambled for:  Psalm 22:18 says lots would be cast for his clothing, as described in John 19:23. 
  • Died for the sins of others:  Isaiah 53:5 states he would be wounded for transgressions for the sins of many. (I Cor 15:13)  
  • Not abandoned to the grave:  Psalm 16:10 prophesied that his soul would not be left in the realm of the dead, fulfilled in the resurrection (Matt 28: 2).   
  • Ascension to heaven:  Psalm 68:18 and Psalm 110:1 describe his ascension to heaven, which is mentioned in the New Testament as occurring after his resurrection (Acts 2:31-32).   

The accuracy of these prophecies served as a powerful testament to the truth of Jesus’ identity as the long-awaited Messiah. For the early disciples, whose understanding was “opened” by the resurrected Jesus, these fulfilled scriptures became the foundation of their hope.  

As we enter Advent, we find ourselves living in the tension between the “already” of Christ’ first coming and the “not yet” of His promised return.  This means our Advent hope is not passive. It is an active, living hope that calls us to participate in God’s ongoing work in the world. Just as the Messiah’s first coming brought light to a dark world, so too are we called to be beacons of that same hope. We reflect on the promises already kept, trusting that God’s future promises will also come to pass. In doing so, we become living signs of the kingdom of God, which has already begun to break into the present reality.  

God Bless 

Xx Rev Cass 

An Advent Prayer for Hope 

Gracious and loving God, 

As we begin this season of Advent, we light a candle to remind us of the hope we have in you.  

In this world there are many things that compete for our loyalty, who promise us peace and security….but too often let us down, proving to be changeable, unreliable…flawed. 

This afternoon we think of You, your faithfulness, your unshakable love and acceptance of us.  

We draw to mind your plans for our lives, plans that no person can alter. 

We place our trust in you; we place our hope in you. 

During this time of waiting and preparation, lift our eyes from the anxieties and distractions of this year.  

Help us to pause and remember that our hope comes from you alone.  

Rekindle our sense of anticipation and awe for Christmas as we look forward to Jesus’ coming. 

In Jesus’ name we pray, 

Amen