Uh oh, Jerusalem is in trouble. “Listen to the LORD, you leaders of ‘Sodom.’ Listen to the law of our God, people of ‘Gomorrah.’” (Isaiah 1:10) The people of Judah, still ruled by the descendants of King David, are being compared to the most wicked cities of the Old Testament, Sodom and Gomorrah, whose destruction is described in Genesis 19.
What links Jerusalem to Sodom? The demand of the Sodomites that they be permitted to rape complete strangers? Yes, but Isaiah widens God’s indictment beyond that one offense. “Wash yourselves and be clean! Get your sins out of my sight. Give up your evil ways. Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.” (Is 1:17). The great son of the Sodomites was their lack of hospitality to strangers. Sodom was destroyed because of its injustice. Jerusalem risks the same fate because of injustice, Isaiah makes clear.
But alongside divine judgment, comes divine promise. “Come, let us reach an understanding, -- says the LORD. Be your sins like crimson, They can turn snow-white.” (Is 1:18). Increasingly, many liturgical churches are using blue as the color for Advent, instead of purple, which is also used in Lent. Given the association of purple with sin and repentance, many prefer to use a different color to communicate hope.
But Jesus came to a world that was profoundly broken. Is there anyone who doesn’t see the brokenness of our world today? If we want to receive a new birth of Jesus in our hearts and communities, don’t we first have to confront those dark parts of our lives where the light of Christ is needed? Do not fear to shine that light on those dark places. It may hurt a little, but it will also refine and warm your soul, and turn your brokenness snow-white. This is Advent, the “coming” of Christ. Seek the truth of your brokenness, and look for that warming light in the distance.
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In addition, we often are caught up in the image of the christ CHILD, rather than the CHRIST child. I actually like that purple can call our minds back to lent, because it can help remind us that this is no ordinary birth we are celebrating, and no ordinary life awaiting him. It can make us more grateful to remember the fate that awaits Christ at the end of Lent. He was sent to suffer, to die, and to rise, the real event that gives any meaning to his birth at all!
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