“ ‘Come thou now thyself,
Sovran of Heaven! bring us salvation,
weary thralls oppressed, worn out with weeping,
with bitter burning tears. With thee alone
resteth their cure for those in direst need.
Visit us here, captives so sad of mood,
nor leave behind thee, when thou turn’st from hence,
so great a throng! But royally show forth
thy mercy to us, O Saviour Christ!
– Cynewulf’s Christ (eighth century)
Reflection
In the corner of the South where I live, Jesus is contextualized everywhere. The institution at which I teach is intentionally evangelical in a manner true to its Bible Belt roots. It is a warm, welcoming place that adheres to cultural mores as well as Gospel themes. On my campus two sculptures stand in prominent view: one of Jesus washing a man’s feet, another of Him praying at Gethsemane. Juxtaposed against these statues twice a week are students filing toward chapel, where attendance monitors take roll so students can receive grades based upon their attendance. Monitors also make sure that students stay awake and off of smart phones during chapel services. Throughout each semester, other behavioral codes are strictly enforced in dormitories. [Read more…] about Advent: Christ in Our Context