Kate Bowler writes, "Sometimes it’s hard to catch the spirit of Christmas joy because it feels so far from reality. We have broken hearts and broken bodies and broken spirits. We may know intellectually that we are part of a bigger story of restoration, one foretold by prophets of Israel then sang out in the glad songs of angels to those obscure shepherds.
It’s a story of “peace on earth and good will for all people” (Luke 2:14). "
But it may seem far-off in our dark and hurting world.
In Advent, we find ourselves in the space of what Kate Bowler describes as the "already-but-not-yet," where we catch "glimpses of restoration amidst the brokenness." As she writes in the introduction to her online retreat, "It's about finding a way to sit with the messiness of life while still holding on to the promise of what's to come."
As we wait for the birth of Jesus together, Bowler encourages us to hold onto the promise of restoration, "God sees you and loves you. You have not been forgotten. God is in the work of restoring it all." But perhaps God invites us to be part of that restoring?
Recently the word "restoration" has occupied much of the news and other media, highlighting the five year restoration of Notre Dame Cathedral after the devastating fire in 2019, The restoration continues, but last week celebrated the re-opening of the iconic cathedral. Some have called this restoration project a "monument to the soul." To date, about 2000 people worked on the restoration -- an "army of artisans" from all over the world, supported by donations from over 150 countries, and countless individuals.
In the following video Yo-Yo Ma performs at the re-opening ceremony at Notre Dame Cathedral. He calls the historic restoration "an example of humans choosing collaboration and creativity instead of division and destruction." He adds, "I am reminded that we always have that choice, that it's a choice that has been with us since the beginning."
As people gazed upon the restored cathedral, these words were often repeated, "Everything is now so bright and gleaming!" Clearly the restoration of Notre Dame is a profound example of the possibility of restoration, but, in our own small ways, we are also given choices to cooperate with God's promise of restoration. Guided by Love, we might participate in the mending of the broken and frayed world around us.
Holding the Light (Stuart Kestenbaum)
Gather up whatever is
glittering in the gutter,
whatever has tumbled
in the waves or fallen
in flames out of the sky,
for it's not only our
hearts that are broken
but the heart
of the world as well.
Stitch it back together...
it all comes down to this:
in our imperfect world
we are meant to repair
and stitch together
what beauty there is, stitch it
with compassion and wire.
See how everything
we have made gathers
the light inside itself
and overflows? A blessing.
In the following song by Ellie Holcomb, images of Psalm 23 speak poignantly about God's leading us to places of restoration and rest for our souls.
Song: All of my days - Psalm 23 by Ellie Holcomb
"Our work as spiritual seekers and contemplatives
is to see all of creation as woven together in holiness
and to live this truth.
In this loving act we begin to knit together
that which has been torn;
we gather all that has been scattered."
(Christine Valters Paintner)
For Reflection: (taken from Kate Bowler's Online Advent Retreat, )
What does restoration mean to you?
The scripture says, “he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing as on a day of festival. I will remove disaster from you, so that you will not bear reproach for it” (Zeph 3:17b). How do you imagine it will feel when God restores you and throws a party with rejoicing and singing? How will it feel to be renewed in God’s love?
This week, look for signs of the already-but-not-yet-ness of the season. How do you embrace the joy and sit with the suffering? How can you mourn for the present and rejoice for the future? How can you pour out love on others as an act of restoration and hope?
Closing Prayer:
·Eternal Listener, give heed to
your people...
Restore us, O Holy One;
let your face shine upon us,
teach us to love...
You companion us through the wilderness,
through the shadows created by fear.
You plant your Seed into each heart...
Restore us, O Holy One!
Let your face shine upon us,
teach us to love!
(Nan Merrill)
Resources
Bowler, Kate (2024). The Weary World Rejoices: An Advent Guide from Everything Happens. This is a resource that we are following throughout the advent season. Feel free to download the daily or weekly guide.
Notre Dame restoration information from CBS Sunday Morning, December 8, 2024.
Paintner, Christine Valters Paintner, abbeyofthearts.com.
Merrill, Nan, "Psalms for Praying," from Psalm 80, London: Bloomsbury Publishing, 2007.
image of world being woven together - by Autumn Skye, autumnskyeart.com
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