Advent
has its own flavours. Some years ago, Jo came across a recipe book of German
Advent biscuits. Apparently, there is a German tradition of serving plates of
mixed, home-baked biscuits to anyone who visits your home in Advent. Neither of
us are German, but Jo lived there for a year, and we both enjoy visiting Germany.
So, Jo decided that she would take up this tradition and bakes a couple of
different batches of biscuits each Advent weekend.
Both
of my grandfathers fought against Nazi Germany in the Second World War; but
their grandchildren and great-grandchildren have known friendship. The prophet
Isaiah foretold the birth of a child who would be known, among other titles, as
the Prince of Peace; and Christians see that hope fulfilled in Jesus. In a
world were peace seems distant, we are called to hold fast to the hope that in
him, all will – one day – be reconciled. In the face of todays’ seemingly
intractable conflicts, we remind ourselves of where peace has overcome hostility.
Could something as simple as sharing biscuits help us to do this?
Hospitality
is central to the Christmas story. Joseph brings his expectant wife, Mary, to
the home of a relative. Social convention requires the relative to welcome them,
but the space in the home (sometimes a separate room, sometimes an end
partitioned off by a curtain, sometimes a shelter on the flat roof) where travelling
guests might sleep is either too small for Mary too labour in or is already
occupied – further evidence of hospitality, extended to another relative or to
a stranger, for social convention required hospitality be extended to both.
Who
might enter your home this Advent? And what might you serve them?
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