THE WISDOM PATTERN OF GOD

ORDER, DISORDER, REORDER

As we experience Advent this year, let us focus on wisdom…the wisdom that comes from God through Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit. Richard Rohr writes about the wisdom pattern of order, disorder and reorder as the pattern that leads to our transformation…our sanctification more and more into the likeness of Christ. It is the process of redeeming all the failure and suffering and brokenness in our lives into something that God can use to build the Kingdom.

I have always felt that the season of Advent leans into this wisdom as we anticipate Christ’s return to finally complete, in its fullness, the Kingdom of God even as we look forward to celebrating the birth of the Savior, Jesus. The whole season is a reflection on the wisdom pattern at work. God’s trajectory begins in Genesis with Order, then humanity falls into sin which creates Disorder, until Jesus Christ arrives as Messiah to bring Reorder to all things for the consummation of God’s Kingdom. Our role in this cosmic Wisdom Pattern is “be open to learn, unlearn and relearn” in our lives and the way we observe what God is up to in the world.

Each liturgical season has its own ‘flavor’ and Advent offers us the opportunity for reflection in the spirit of penitence that is mingled with joy and anticipation. The anticipation builds as we reach Gaudete Sunday or the Sunday of Joy which is the Third Sunday of Advent…but the final build-up comes on December 17 - December 23 when the ancient Church liturgy would focus on the Great O Antiphons at evening vespers service which always includes the Maginificat. The O Antiphons are added to the Magnificat these last 7 days of Advent in Western Christian traditions. Modern liturgical churches that no longer offer vespers services consolidated the O Antiphons into the verses of the beloved hymn: O Come Emmanuel. Each O Antiphon offers a nod to the Old Testament and Messianic prophecy long awaited. The sequence is as follows (compare with the verses of O Come Emmanuel):

December 17: O Wisdom

December 18: O Adonai

December 19: O Root of Jesse

December 20: O Key of David

December 21: O Dawn of the East

December 22: O King of the Nations

December 23: O Emmanuel

Notice the first O Antiphon is O Wisdom, in this case a reference to the Messiah that will bring the wisdom of God directly into the midst of his people. This wisdom will create disorder for humanity because God’s wisdom is quite upside down from the so-called wisdom of the world. God comes to conquer with love, not power…forgiveness, not punishment.

During this blessed time of Advent, may we reflect on the Wisdom that God has brought and continues to bring into our lives…how does God lead us in ways that are different from the ways of the world?…how does the Wisdom Pattern of Jesus the Messiah show up in your life?…are your eyes open to learn, unlearn and relearn as the Holy Spirit leads you in discernment and guides your way?

INVITATION FOR 2026

Beginning in January 2026, the Spiritual Wellness Community Membership group for women will embark on a year-long journey together exploring and creating a Rule of Life. We will be doing this within the regular framework of our group Zoom meetings as well as a parallel process of coursework utilizing John Mark Comer’s Practicing The Way followed by each of his 9 spiritual practices of Jesus courses. Our scripture focus will be on a different story of Jesus each month that illuminates his relationship with the Father, his rhythms of prayer alone and living faith in community, and insight into how he interacts with the world without being of the world. We will learn, unlearn and relearn together. We will live the Wisdom Pattern of order, disorder and reorder in our lives and notice it in God’s world.

If you’ve ever thought about a Rule of Life or wanted to have the time to reflect on what kind of follower of Jesus you are and/or want to be….this is the year for you.

JOIN US…first month is free so you get a FREE TRIAL to see if it fits.

Invite one of your sisters in Christ to join with you so you can encourage each other. We have members from Michigan, Colorado, Ohio and occasionally other areas.

If Tuesdays at Noon ET don’t work for you to Zoom (it is is best if you can experience the community aspect), the recording is always posted on the Members Only section of the website within 24 hours.

If you want to grow closer to Jesus in 2026 and make your relationship with Him a priority…if you want to be intentional about fine tuning your spiritual practices to find what really works for you…JOIN US, Please…we would love to have you with us!

DECEMBER SWCM

Topic: Wisdom

Book: The Wisdom Pattern: Order, Disorder, Reorder by Richard Rohr

Scripture: “If any of you is lacking in WISDOM, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you.” —James 1:5

Tues, Dec 2: Topic introduction

Tues, Dec 9: Group Spiritual Direction with James 1:2-8

Tues, Dec 16: Prayer & Meditation time w/Harp (maybe we will meditate on the first O Antiphon-O Wisdom)

Tues, Dec 23: OFF FOR THE FEAST OF THE NATIVITY THIS WEEK

Tues, Dec 30: Discussion of the topic and the book, prep for our Rule of Life journey that begins on Jan 6, 2026!

Blessed Advent to you, dear ones!

May Wisdom come to you as the child in the manger.

And may the anticipation of the promised coming Day of the Lord,

Cause you to reorder you days and ways toward Him.

Shalom, shalom,

Julie Parsell

Pastor - Spiritual Director - Therapeutic Harpist - and some other cool stuff as well