Advent Offers Hope; Opportunities to Serve Community

 Today is the first day of a new season, the season of Advent. It is a season of expectation, the hope for the arrival of something new, something better. It started 2,000 years ago with the birth of Jesus, with a quiet and inconspicuous arrival that, to paraphrase one of the great English reformers, "lit a fire that could never be put out." 

It is easy to forget the night of the first advent of hope went largely unnoticed in most of that ancient world. Nobody even took a Christmas holiday to celebrate the incarnation of their creator. Most of the world just knew nothing of it, and even in the years that followed large parts of the planet were oblivious to the hope of nations that was growing up a carpenter's son in a small country whose citizens were living under the boot of Roman occupation. Thieves still took things that did not belong to them, killers killed, liars lied, armies waged war and folks pretty much went on much as they had before. 

Even though we now know how that first Advent played out - and have the witness of history as to how it fundamentally changed the planet - things really aren't that much different today. And perhaps saddest of all, from Anderson to Amsterdam to Afghanistan we have come to expect little else in or from each other or the world we live in.  

Then advent season arrives, opening up at least the idea that there is something more going on than the sabre-rattling madness of the nations constantly inviting us to circle our wagons in a state of anxious panic. It brings the arrival of a different invitation, one which can only come from inside of each of us. An invitation to a place of peace. 

I was talking to former S.C. Gov. David Beasley Thursday afternoon about his diplomatic work all over the world, and was interested to hear his conclusion: "I've both learned and come to see politics can't change the world," Beasley said. "It's people; it's us as individuals working together who have to be the ones to change things." 

He's right. It is unlikely anyone reading this editorial can do anything which will cause or prevent North Korea from starting a war. Or Muslim extremists from blowing up another group or tourists or mosque. We can't even get TSA agents to be polite when they pat us down at the airport.

But we can volunteer to cover routes for Meals on Wheels when they need a substitute driver. We can help clean up after lunch at the Anderson Soup Kitchen. We can help the Haven of Rest get enough hams for Christmas, and then serve them to those who need a hot meal for the holiday. If none of these appeal to you, write a check to Shalom Recovery Center in Belton to help women and their families break the brutal cycle of addiction. Or just call your church or call Anderson Interfaith Ministries and I can say with confidence they will help direct your desire to do something to change things in this community for the better. 

Throughout history, Advent has been  marked by a spirit of expectation, of anticipation, of preparation, of longing for a better world. Here are some numbers to help you share in that experience of hope during the season:

Anderson Interfaith Ministries   226-2273

Anderson Soup Kitchen              224-4763

Haven of Rest                              226-6193

Meals on Wheels                         225-6800

Shalom Recover Center              238-9875

Salvation Army                            225-7381