Always Advent in Africa

Usually, at this time of the year, I am all jazzed up for Advent - but not this year.

I'm not sure what our Advent season will feel like this year.  I've been wondering that.  Advent is always one of my favorite seasons of the church year.  I think, because like during Lent, our community of faith at Fish Lake Lutheran gathers on Wednesday evenings for a meal and quiet, reflective worship together.  It's a time of year that really brings our congregation together in very good ways.  So I have been thinking how I will miss those worship opportunities.  Not only do they provide a time of G.R.O.W.ing in Relationships, but they also provide me, personally, with an opportunity to prepare my heart and mind for all that awaits us at Christmas.  That time of preparation for me is so important, in order to stay focused and concentrated on "the reason for the season."

What will Advent look like in Africa?

Well, beyond a small Advent craft night at a local cafe', sponsored by a local non-denominational church, that we've been invited to, I'm not sure we are going to feel the full effect or power of Advent this year.  And I've realized that's okay.  Because I've learned a greater lesson about Advent while living here in Iringa the past two months.  And that is - In Africa, it's always Advent!

I've learned, through my times of worshiping with the Tanzanians, and while spending time with students in my classes, and while visiting with other pastors and faculty at the University, that the need for spiritual preparation is not only an Advent message in Africa, but rather, a weekly message!  I like it!

I think we can learn a lot about preparing ourselves for Christmas, for Jesus' second coming, and for each and every day that the Lord blesses us with, from the Africans.  In general, the African churches are pretty law heavy - they focus much on, and emphasize mostly, the law of the Old Testament, leaving not much room for God's grace and mercy and forgiveness.  So, as you can imagine, the feeling that they have to "be ready" (Advent) is pretty significant.

Interestingly, I've learned that in African Lutheran churches, the pastor will announce that "in two weeks (or next week) we will be celebrating Holy Communion during worship.  We are telling you now so that you have time to prepare for this holy sacrament."

Wow!  I think that is so cool!  Can you imagine me saying in church on any given Sunday morning, that we will be communing next week (or in two weeks) and I'm telling you today so that you have adequate time to prepare?  How many of us take the time to prepare to receive God's gift of grace at Holy Communion?

I love the concept of preparing to receive such a gift (Advent).  Your question might be "why?" or "how?" do we prepare?  The same question was asked of John the Baptist as he proclaimed, "Prepare the way of the Lord!"

The Africans believe so much in the sacredness of Holy Communion and respect it a great deal (not that we don't), that they believe they need time to prepare themselves fully to receive it.  This preparation might involve time spent in prayer, devotion, worship, or confession.  Great!

Now, we spend this time in preparation as well, but we do it during the worship service at which we are communing.  Usually at the beginning of a traditional Lutheran worship service we will spend time confessing our sins and hearing God's life-giving words of forgiveness, enabling us to then freely and wholly worship God with pure and clean hearts - including recieving holy communion.  Thus, we too, have prepared.  So, theologically, in this sense, we tend to agree.  However, in practice, we differ.

Although, our theological similarities quickly fade.  The unfortunate part of the African's eucharistic theology is that, on the downside, if you haven't adequately prepared to receive the sacrament, you will not be allowed to participate.  And sadly, the church elders and pastor are able to make this judgement call.

In my worship class, I've had to bite my tongue as a way of respecting the cultural and theological differences, but it doesn't always work and I guess I don't always bite hard enough, because I can't hear that and not share my thoughts (which is fine ultimately, because it's all part of the cross-cultural experience for them -and me).

They will deny the sacrament to a worshipper in their church if that worshiper has publicly sinned or not adequately prepared their hearts to receive it.  I say to that, that is exactly the reason we have the sacrament - because we are not adequately prepared and because we have sinned!  They struggle with that understanding - they believe that we are sinners and that Christ died to save us from our sins, but they also respect the sacrament so much, that they feel a strong need to protect it - from sinners!  Ugh!  Nonetheless, these theological differences are far fewer than our similarities, and they lead to good, thoughtful conversation, learning and reflection.  Such differences exist between our churches at home as well, don't they?

After preaching on Matthew 24 last weekend at Nduli Lutheran, all about the last days and the return of Jesus (Advent!), I realized that I will just begin my Advent preparation early this year.  After all, in Africa - it's always Advent!

Just some random theological thoughts tonight.  All part of the reason I'm here.  It's all good!

Advent blessings to you all,

Dale