This morning our church family begins the celebration of Advent. It is one of my favorite times of the year. I find in each Advent a new beginning. It is after all, Advent that is, the beginning of the Church's calendar year. But more than that, it is a time of new beginnings - new hopes - new possibilities among life's seeming impossibilities.
Why? Because of Advent.
Advent means "coming" or "arrival" and it signifies the coming of our Lord Jesus as a baby - a human being. The "Incarnation" of our Lord - God with us. Advent celebrates that God entered into our world the first time as Immanuel – “God with us” in Jesus Christ (John 1:1-14). Now, beyond that first coming, it reminds us that God will come back again, entering into our world in full redemption when Jesus returns a second time.
John 1:1-14 (NIV)
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was with God in the beginning.
3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Prayer: "Lord Jesus we often miss you in the midst of our busy, hectic life. We do not want to miss you as we prepare for Christmas. Come among us, by your Spirit make yourself known. Help us to see what we often cannot see. Help us to hear what we often miss in our hearing. Come Lord Jesus and once again help us to see what you can do "in" us, even as we witness once again what you did "to" us. amen."
Why? Because of Advent.
Advent means "coming" or "arrival" and it signifies the coming of our Lord Jesus as a baby - a human being. The "Incarnation" of our Lord - God with us. Advent celebrates that God entered into our world the first time as Immanuel – “God with us” in Jesus Christ (John 1:1-14). Now, beyond that first coming, it reminds us that God will come back again, entering into our world in full redemption when Jesus returns a second time.
John 1:1-14 (NIV)
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was with God in the beginning.
3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
I do not celebrate Advent because I have nothing else to do around
the Christmas season; I celebrate Advent because I want to be immersed in the
story that reminds me over and over again that God saw in us, his people, the
beauty and wonder of His “image” - so much so that he entered into redemption
through the act of Incarnation.
1 Timothy 3:16 (NIV)
16 Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.
16 Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.
I'd like to invite you to come along on an Advent journey with me. Let's celebrate the God of impossibilities. The God who will not allow his creation to waste away in decay; but instead the God who steps into the world of impossibilities and says, "Just watch, let me show what I can do."
Something to think about: It was Helmut Thielicke who said, “When I am asked why as a
Christian I celebrate Christmas, my first reply is that I do so because
something has happened to me, and therefore — but only as I am receptive and
give myself to it — something can [now] happen in me.”
Prayer: "Lord Jesus we often miss you in the midst of our busy, hectic life. We do not want to miss you as we prepare for Christmas. Come among us, by your Spirit make yourself known. Help us to see what we often cannot see. Help us to hear what we often miss in our hearing. Come Lord Jesus and once again help us to see what you can do "in" us, even as we witness once again what you did "to" us. amen."
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