Advent Joy: Whitby Chinese Alliance New Venture
This Advent season, we invite you to join us as we reflect on the coming of Jesus and the inbreaking of His Kingdom on Earth. Together, we’ll discover how different New Ventures are learning to share the hope, joy, love, and peace of Jesus in their unique contexts and neighborhoods across Canada.
Advent reminds us that preparing the Way for Jesus brings deep and full joy.
Have you ever heard of Gaudete Sunday? It’s the name of the third Sunday of Advent in the Christian calendar. In liturgical traditions, Gaudete Sunday church services involve readings about the Christian’s joy in Jesus, as well as the mission of John the Baptist.
Although we tend to think foremost of martyrdom and sacrifice when it comes to John the Baptist, he’s also a powerful example of spiritual joy.
John describes his joy himself when Jesus launches His public ministry. . .even if this essentially meant the end of his own. We read his words in John 3:
“The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less.” (John 3:29-30, emphasis added).
John the Baptist rejoiced in telling others he was not the Messiah, but came to prepare the way for Him. He joyfully directed others to “the One to come,” without elevating himself.
We’re so encouraged by leaders and New Ventures in Canada who do just that. Like Whitby Chinese Alliance New Venture.
As the town of Whitby, Ontario, began to re-open following the pandemic, New Venture leader David Pan joined a local football team. Through this team, David gradually formed intentional relationships. Soon, an outreach group was formed in his home, responding to the need for a Mandarin space of worship in the Whitby area.
Months later, Whitby Chinese Alliance is launching as a New Venture. And they are preparing for a joy-filled celebration on December 17th 2022: their first baptism service. Six people within this emerging community have chosen to say yes to Jesus through baptism. What joy!
This Advent season, we await and yearn for Jesus’ coming. In so doing, we don’t just focus on His advent that first Christmas, but also anticipate when He will come again. And we look for the many ways He is at work in our present world, asking ourselves, “What does the inbreaking of Jesus’ Kingdom look like?”
The third Sunday of Advent suggests that, in some way, John the Baptist reveals this to us.
Truth be told, New Ventures like Whitby Chinese Alliance have more in common with John the Baptist than one might think. . .
Like John, they are messengers of the work of Jesus, the One to Come.
Like John, they draw a weary world closer to the waters of baptism.
Like John, they deliberately point people to Jesus, not themselves.
Like John, they faithfully partner with God in the things He is doing around them–while recognizing what Christ’s Spirit alone can do (Luke 3:16).
And, like John, they model the fullness of joy involved in making way for the coming King.
This Advent, may we have eyes to see the ways God is at work in our communities. May we have ears to hear and rejoice in the bridegroom’s voice. And may we point the way to Him–because that joy is ours, and it is complete.
—
Learn more about Whitby Chinese Alliance New Venture here.