A mental exercise that I have tried to apply over the years is to look at seemingly unrelated events to try to find parallels. The season of Advent and the current Dobbs v. Jackson court case are a case in point.
The two very different “events” provide an opportunity to explore parallels as they relate to the Gospel of Life. And in many respects, exploring the parallels can also expand one’s understanding of God’s design.
I don’t think it is by chance that the Dobbs v. Jackson court case that has implications for overturning Roe v. Wade is being heard and discussed during Advent. Advent is about preparation, anticipation, and an appeal. The same can be said for the Dobbs case.
Preparation
The Advent season is about preparing ourselves to celebrate the birth of the Christ. It is about preparing for a birth – a new and significant life that changed the world. That preparation involves a renewed focus on Scripture and the meaning of Christ’s birth for our lives.
The Dobbs case is also about preparation. In one sense, it is about the lawyers preparing their arguments before the Supreme Court. We can’t also forget that abortion (as opposed to advent preparing for a life) is about preparing for an imposed death.
But it is also about those of us in the pro-life movement preparing to use this case to spread the Gospel of Life. It is also about planning for our continuing prayer activities, pro-life marches, and all the supporting activities provided to pregnancy centers, mothers and their babies.
Anticipation
Advent is about the anticipation of life, specifically the birth of our Lord and the celebration of the Christmas season. A key part of that expectation is a focus on the meaning of our Savior’s birth. Studying the advent scriptures and contemplating Old Testament passages relating to the prophesying of their anticipation of the Messiah helps bring His birth into focus.
The Dobbs case is also about anticipation. While everyone on both sides of the abortion debate awaits the verdict, there is also an anticipation of what comes next, depending upon the Supreme Court’s decision. Lest we forget, abortion (as opposed to advent anticipating life) is about the anticipation of a forced death.
Regardless of the verdict, the issue of abortion will not be resolved. The fight for life will be need to be continued.
An appeal to life
The Advent season is about contemplating and reflecting on the coming birth of a child. It’s a liturgical season that is an appeal to the true meaning of Christmas and the meaning of “life.” But it can also be viewed as an appeal for our own lives to be saved from the consequences of sin – eternal death.
Advent is a happy positive, encouraging, and uplifting season. It also serves as an appeal to renew our faith, to repent, to recognize our faults, seek forgiveness, and to be transformed to live a life following the model of Jesus Christ.
The Dobbs case has many legal issues regarding a state’s rights to limit abortion or when a baby in the womb is viable. But deep down and ethically the case is an appeal to recognize the inherent right to life and the dignity of the human person. Regardless of the decision, it can provide a renewed focus on the meaning and consequences of abortion for the inherent evil that it is.
The bottom line is that this court case highlights two opposite appeals before the court – the defense of life or the defense of murder.
The ultimate contrast
The contrast between the Advent focus on the coming birth of a child and the abortion focus on the killing of a child is startling. The obvious contrast is between life and death. But also take a look at the advocates for life and those of abortion.
When I think about the many vigils and marches that I have been involved in, or view the news coverage of them, an obvious distinction can be quickly noted. There are always two groups shown – the pro-abortion group and the pro-life group. Which group is smiling, non-confrontational, prayerful and peaceful? And which group is angry, confrontational, vulgar and combative?
The parallels of preparation, anticipation, and appeal provide a picture of how, as Christians we live in two worlds. There is the world of faith and the world of our culture. The Dobbs court case and abortion are blatant reminders of our culture. Abortion is an issue we must confront within our culture, but we cannot let it diminish the more important season of Advent.
As Jesus said in John 18:36, “My kingdom does not belong to this world.” Advent can help us to focus on his kingdom and the world of our faith.
“Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect” [Romans 12:2].
4 thoughts on “Contrasts Between Advent and the Dobbs Abortion Court Case”
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I’d encourage you to try to look at things from the perspective of the other side. I’ve been to pro-life marches, and I’ve seen plenty of things that could be considered vulgar – especially by the other side. And some gatherings have been quiet and peaceful. The same goes for what I’ve seen for the pro-choice side – it’s a mixed bag.
It’s clear you have an us vs them mentality – just like many of the folks on the other side. Until that stops, we’ll continue fighting about abortion. I’m relatively young, but I fear what’s happening right now means this abortion battle will rage throughout my lifetime. Rather than starting to come together to solve the problem, we’re galvanizing another generation into each respective camp. And there is no end in sight.
Acts 23:11
The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage. For just as you have borne witness to my cause in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness in Rome.”
2 Maccabees 7:22-23
“I do not know how you came into existence in my womb; it was not I who gave you the breath of life, nor was it I who set in order the elements of which each of you is composed. Therefore, since it is the Creator of the universe who shapes each man’s beginning, as he brings about the origin of everything, He, in his mercy, will give you back both breath and life, because you now disregard yourselves for the sake of his law.”