Clergy from left, Deacon Amy Schmuck, Deacon Cynthia Biddlecomb, retired, and The Rev. Mary Ann Hill. Photo by Nate Limback/ladailypost.com
By Deacon Amy Schmuck
Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church
As you read this, Christian communities have celebrated the beginning of a new liturgical church year with this Sunday, Nov. 30. Advent season is here! What I most appreciate is that the messages in our church lectionary readings, the rhythm of our worship, and the music we use is counter-cultural to the hype, consumerism, stress, rush, and pressures of our society in December. We begin a new cycle of telling and living into the story of Christ by slowing down and taking notice in our ancient scriptures of the God-time, the Kairos time of holiness.
Kairos is a Greek word that translates to “an opportune moment” or the “perfect time” or a “defining or decisive moment” in the New Testament of the Bible, Kairos is used in context to be a time appointed by God. Chronos is measured time, the time that our society runs by with schedules, deadlines, a linear specific calendar and clock built of precise seconds, minutes, hours, days, months, and years.
In Advent, Christians are called by God to notice and dwell in a Kairos time in tension with human society’s built Chronos time. So take time this season to dwell in the moments, seek out those opportunities or “perfect times” to be in awe of Christ’s presence and holiness. This Kairos time may be one of those fleeting moments that takes a short “Chronos time” but the moment impacts us deeply and stays with us much longer.
So, maybe take a deep breath outdoors and smell the earth, our many pine trees, do you smell the snow coming? Do you feel the combination of crisp cold air on your skin and sun warming you at the same time? Take that Kairos time and ask, “What does this moment with you mean to me?”
Get up early before Chronos time and all its demands grab hold of your attention, play some special music, and light a candle in the pre-dawn to welcome the light of Christ into your day to come. Be open to listening to what God brings you in the Kairos moment you have set aside. See what the holy moment brings forth.
Resist the urge to note “How many days until Christmas” or “Are you ready for Christmas” in your conversations. Ask instead, “What are some holy moments you have had lately?” or “Where have you seen God at work in your life?” See what kinds of Kairos moments you may share with friends, co-workers, family members and even strangers in this type of exchange. Slow down for God. Slow down for your well-being. This is holy time. This is sacred preparation that calls your attention and your deep listening. Invite Christ into your Advent season in a new way. As always, the writers of this column invite you to join us for our worship, our Bible studies, our celebrations and our communities. We pray your Advent season brings you hope with the holy over the coming weeks.
Editor’s note: ‘All Shall Be Well’ is a column written by local women clergy, including The Rev. Mary Ann Hill, Rector, Trinity on the Hill Episcopal Church (momaryannhill@gmail.com); Deacon Amy Schmuck, Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church (deaconamy@bethluth.com); and ELCA Deacon Cynthia Biddlecomb, M.Div., retired (czoebidd@gmail.com).