Pastor Ruth Foss
November 27, 2011
Fits Sunday of Advent
Theme of Hope
Isaiah 63:16-64:8 NRSV Bible
1 Corinthians 1:3-9 NRSV Bible
Mark 13:32-37 The Message Bible
If You Want the Best Christmas
Good Morning! Well. . . I can’t believe it but here we are at the first Sunday of Advent. It doesn’t seem as if we have gone through another year already. Boy . . . how time flies! We have sped through another year. This is one of my favorite times of the year. It’s a season of spending time with family . . . It’s a season of being thankful for what God has given us and continues to give us each and every year. . . It’s a season of joy and change. It’s the season of expectantly waiting the celebration of Jesus’ birth as well as a season of expectantly waiting for His return.
The Scriptures that we heard this morning are all about just that . . . waiting for Christ’s return. The Isaiah scripture is like a prayer for the coming of Jesus . . . the time when Jesus Christ will usher in a new age of hope, of peace, of joy and of love (which what Advent is all about . . . the hope, peace, joy and love that came in the form of a babe in a manger so long ago.) The 1st Corinthians scripture from this morning is all about the grace that God has given us as we expectantly wait for Christ’s return . . . the strength needed for the day. Yes . . . Advent truly is a special time every year for every Christian!
The Gospel of Mark also talks about the time . . . or should I say the hour . . . of Christ’s return. There are so many people out there that think that they know exactly when Christ will return, like about 2012 and all the others, . . . His second coming. But . . . this scripture sort of tells us a different story. It is found in Mark 13 in verses 32-37. Listen to what the Gospel says and you tell me if these “prophets” really know what they are talking about. (Read Mark Scripture from the Message Bible) . . .
The scripture tells us that no one knows the time of Christ’s return. But it also tells us what we should be doing while we are waiting. It is . . . what I like to call . . . an instruction manual on how the survive the “The Apocalypse” that all these prophets seem to be talking about.
Now Scripture does tells us that a lot of bad things will happen before and when Christ returns. But we as Christians should not be in fear for that day . . . I know that I for one am truly,truly excited for that day . . . I can’t wait for “the sky to open and Christ comes back to take us all home, all of His flock . . . The scripture form Mark does tells us to “keep awake and keep sharp” for His return.
Advent is an Adventure and it begins with Hope. The time of Advent is a time of longing for God to come . . . as we celebrate Christ’s birth so long ago. Advent is a time of waiting for Christ to return . . . ushering in the New Jerusalem, the new heaven and earth, which he will bring also. Advent is also a time of watching for Christ’s return . . . being alert and awake, doing the Kingdoms work as we do so. Advent is not just a season but a way of life, a way to live out our journey, our sojourn on this celestial plane that we are on. If we, as Christians, keep these things in mind as we enter the season of Advent, we truly will have the best Christmas.
My challenge for you during this Advent season, and for me too, is this:
• To deliberately try to re-think Advent in your mind and in your hearts.
• To rethink what Advent really is.
• To deliberately search within ourselves to find that Hope that is within us and to live out that Hope in the world around us.
• To deliberately look for Jesus in the world around us and in those in whom we come in contact with. He’s there; we just have to look.
Let us begin to live that Advent life throughout the year and not only during the time of Advent. It begins with hope, and the scripture says, hope will not fail us!
Let us pray:
God of Advent, we await expectantly for the celebration of the birth of your Son, Lord Jesus Christ . . . Help us to also expectantly await His return. Help us to live our lives not only as Easter People but also as Advent sojourners. Stir up your Spirit within us and that may we live out our lives awake and at work for the Kingdom to come. This we pray in the name of the One who became flesh and lived among us, our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ.
Amen?!
November 27, 2011
Worship Theme of Hope
Mark 13:32-37 The Message Bible
Isaiah 63:16-64:8 NRSV Bible
1 Corinthians 1:3-9 NRSV Bible
And sermon, “If You Want the Best Christmas”
Pastor Ruth Foss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
Suncook, NH
November 27, 2011
First Sunday of Advent
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 14,200+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.
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