Read one of Bonhoeffer's Advent sermons today which he preached on December 17, 1933 while ministering in London. The text he spoke from was Luke 1:46-55, Mary's Magnificat.
When God chose Mary for his instrument, when God himself in the manger at Bethlehem decided to come into this world, that was no romantic family portrait, but the beginning of a total turning point, a new ordering of all things on this earth. If we want to participate in this Advent and Christmas happening, we cannot simply be like spectators at a theater performance, enjoying all the familiar scenes, but we must ourselves become part of this activity, which is taking place in this “changing of all things.” We must have our part in this drama. The spectator becomes an actor in the play. We cannot withdraw ourselves from it.
Advent is a time of waiting. But, what is the nature of this waiting? Advent waiting is action. We are to be actors on a stage, as Bonhoeffer reminds us, playing our part of this cosmic drama as it unfolds. In this drama, we must be content to play the role given to us by God and not to seek more prestigious roles (prestigious in our eyes at least). Remember, Advent shows us that God chooses to use humble actors like Mary and when God first comes onto the stage of human history as a man, he does so through the most humble of means.
BD
BD