Mark 1:1, the scripture from which today’s Advent Word was taken, is a mere preface: “The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ.” In the verses that follow, Mark pinpoints that beginning in a passage from Isaiah about the “voice of one crying in the wilderness”–John the Baptist.
I would like to differ slightly with Mark. My favorite service in the entire church year is the Festival of Lessons and Carols. whose narrative locates in Genesis a more remote beginning for that good news we await during Advent.
Although the service originated at Truro Cathedral on Christmas Eve, 1880, it is generally associated with King’s College, Cambridge, where it is a Christmas Eve tradition, tracing the plan of salvation from the fall of Adam in Genesis 3 through the mystery of the Incarnation as articulated in John 1.
However, I prefer the version of the service that prepares for the celebration of Christmas while preserving the integrity of Advent as a separate season. Below is one variation of the lessons, which I leave you to read as you wish (links from The Lectionary Page):
- Genesis 2: 4b-9, 15-25
God creates man and woman to live in obedience to him in the Garden of Eden. - Genesis 3: 1-22 or 3: 1-15
Adam and Eve rebel against God and are cast out of the Garden of Eden. - Isaiah 40: 1-11
God comforts his people and calls on them to prepare for redemption. - Jeremiah 31: 31-34
A new covenant is promised which will be written in our hearts. - Isaiah 64: 1-9a
God is called upon to act and to come among us. - Isaiah 6: 1-11
God reveals his glory to the prophet and calls him to be his messenger. - Isaiah 35: 1-10
The prophet proclaims that God will come and save us. - Baruch 4: 36–5: 9
The Scribe Baruch urges the people to look East because salvation is at hand. - Isaiah 7: 10-15
God promises that a child shall be conceived who will be known as “God with us.” - Micah 5: 2-4
The one who is to rule Israel will be born in the village of Bethlehem. - Isaiah 11: 1-9
The Spirit of the Lord will rest upon the Holy One. - Zephaniah 3: 14-18
The Lord will be among us; we are summoned to rejoice and sing. - Isaiah 65: 17-25
God promises a new heaven and a new earth. - Luke 1: 26-38 or 1: 26-56
The Angel Gabriel announces to the Virgin Mary that she will bear the Son of the Most High.
Even better, find and attend a service in your local area, as I have done. I will be going to the Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral (Roman Catholic) on Sunday to hear the lessons, sing the music, and experience once again the story of God’s plan of salvation for each one of us, beginning–as it did–in the Garden of Eden.