Last year in Advent I wrote about discovering ‘another world’ through scuba diving on holiday in the Isles of Scilly. This year we went to the other extreme of the British Isles – to Shetland. The Shetland Isles are so far North they are as close, in more ways than one, to Scandanavia as Scotland. Here we discovered another world full of beauty and interest. It is also a remote community intent on preserving its identity. While we were there we met a professional ‘storyteller’ who visited schools and communities telling the stories unique to Shetland. In some ways it was a throw back to the days of oral tradition passed on from generation to generation. We also went to a cultural evening where children were performing traditional Shetland fiddle music, which, in some cases, they had composed themselves. With a limited budget they employ 4 full time, and one half time, fiddle teachers for the islands. Preserving and passing on their culture is a priority.
Advent is a time to remind all Christians that we are storytellers. We have a story to tell and it could have no greater importance or urgency. Advent not only prepares us for the coming of Christ at Christmas, but for the second coming of Christ at the end of time. How often in life do we regret we did not do something while we could and are left saying:- “If only …”? The Gospel message is urgent and insists we take action now, before it is too late. Surely we do not need convincing of that truth when we look around our present situation internationally, nationally and personally.
Advent starts with Andrew. St Andrew’s Day (30 November) reminds us of the missionary work of the Church. Andrew’s first action on meeting Jesus was to go to find his brother, Peter, and bring him to meet him. Together they left their nets and went with Jesus to become ‘fishers of men’. Everyone is preparing to celebrate Christmas, but how many will meet Christ? As Christians we have an enormous task to ‘tell the story’ and bring people to meet Jesus. In many ways that is not just to preserve and pass on our Christian heritage, but to tell the story to those who have never heard it.
Advent is also a time when we remember the message of John the Baptist. John burst on the scene with his clarion call – a wake up call to get ready for the coming of Christ. He warned that people would need to be alert to recognise “the one who stands amongst you whom you do not know”, and Jesus himself warned us to recognise him in the guise of the poor and outcast. We need to put our lives in order, and live by the priorities of God’s Kingdom of righteousness, justice and peace. John told the people who asked what they should do, to share with those in need, to be honest in their dealings and not to use force. So our preparations for Christmas should challenge our chosen priorities and lifestyle.
Christmas means that God is at the heart of life – that, in Jesus, he has come among us. Yet, in many ways, Christ will be left out of Christmas. If the Shetland Islanders can recognise the importance of ‘telling the story’ and preserving their identity and culture, how much more important is it that as Christians we tell our story? As you look around the shops this December, and listen and look at the media, ask yourself what story this tells of Christmas. What is the meaning and the message? Are we happy to let that happen? Are we content to let the Christmas story become just part of the folklore and fairy tales? There could be no better way to prepare for a real celebration of Christmas than for all Christians to become storytellers. We need to tell the Christmas story of how Jesus came to be born at Bethlehem not just as a baby in a manger, but as the Son of God, to bring comfort and challenge to a weary world. We also need to tell our personal story. That Christmas means that we, too, can meet Jesus, and of what a difference that makes to our lives in bringing meaning and purpose. May we so tell the story that Jesus comes alive in hearts and homes this Christmas time.
A very happy Christmas to you all.
Yours sincerely
Peter Lee
