Great Expectations

A couple of years ago I got invited to go to one of the Queen's garden parties. Unfortunately, as it was near the due date of our first child it was impractical for us to attend. I did however notice on the invitation card that there was no RSVP. It dawned on me later on that this signifies something quite profound in royal etiquette - IE one does not turn her Majesty down and so there is no option to decline.

If you do go to one of these royal events a certain sense of expectation fills the air before the monarch arrives. I am told there is a buzz in the air and a great hush when the Queen arrives. Even before you get to the venue you are preparing yourself mentally and rehearsing what you are going to say or do. There is no room for the flippant or casual remarks.

Advent as a season holds a certain air of "royal" expectation. On a theological level Advent reminds us not only of the birth of Jesus but also his return to judge the world and put all things into completion. I have a corny fridge magnet which says 'Jesus is coming - look busy!' Nothing motivates a workforce more than knowing the boss is around the corner and will be in soon.

Some of the early 5th century depictions of Jesus showed him as a Byzantine Emperor, regal and majestic. The priests referred to Jesus as the 'Pantocrantor' (Greek Παντοκράτωρ) that is the Almighty. The icons (see above) and mosaics are stunning but also somewhat fearsome to look at. This is not so much gentle Jesus, meek and mild but the Lion of Judah and the judge of the world. It reminded me of the description of Aslan in the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. On hearing that Aslan is on the move Mr Beaver confirms to Lucy and the children that Aslan is no tame lion rather the contrary. But although Aslan is terrifying to be with, he is fundamentally good and kind.

And so in Advent we hold in tension two images of Christ; the vulnerable baby and the returning judge. Both images are not contradictory but are equally valid and invite us to a new relationship with God. As Christians I think Advent also challenges us to reflect on what we are doing when we worship and what do who we expect when we come to Church? It's all too easy to get casual and forget that we are worshipping God Almighty rather than God All-matey.

Let me provide another example. If at the Eucharist we truly believe that we are coming into the sacramental presence of Jesus Christ then how will we carry ourselves? Is it just another day in the park or should we be trembling a bit at the awesomeness of what is happening? Because if we really believe the doctrines of the Church then the Eucharist is mind blowing, it is the ultimate miracle.

"The sacramental body and blood of the Saviour are present as an offering to the believer awaiting His welcome." Joint Anglican-Roman Catholic Statement on the Eucharist - 1971 para 8.

It is inspiring to see how in other faiths people display reverence quite openly, removing shoes, prostration, bowing, silence, dressing appropriately, etc. Yet as Brits we have tended to shun all of this a bit. Is it because we are bit "buttoned up" and don't like to display our enthusiasm for God? Or worse still is it because deep down we dont believe any of it any more. Yet a proper air of expectation in the liturgy of the church can be a great evangelising tool. It allows others to see that something extraordinary is happening here. This does not have be displayed by effervescent charismatic guestures or complex series of genuflections. If the heart is the right place then a sense of awe will permeate our worship. If the heart is the wrong place then any rituals, songs, prayers will be hollow and ape the pharisees of old.

So here at St Clements we have decided to keep the liturgy fairly simple for Advent. Nothing too grand, fussy or flashy. We have tried to expand on the silent bits and not feel embarrassed about it. There is less music, fewer words, and in these gloomy winter Sundays, even less light. Of course, come Christmas Eve, all of this will change.