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The season of Advent is upon us. From Sunday, November 30th through Christmas morning, Thursday, December 25th, these 26 days attempt to call us to something unimaginable, mysterious, and life-altering – the Incarnation – God in human form.
Advent. Is the beginning. Not just of the new church calendar year, but much more importantly, the beginning of God changing course and doing a new thing.
Advent. Is about the mystery, confoundedness associated with birth. It doesn’t just happen. It is a process of being formed, bit by bit – piece by piece, into something beautiful and full of hope.
Advent. Is about longing. Having a strong desire for something that usually feels unattainable. Longing is deep, thoughtful, heartfelt. Each of us long for something – real, tangible.
Advent. Is about waiting. Waiting is associated with patience, with emphasis on “associated.” Reality is the opposite. Try telling your kids, grand kids, nieces or nephews to wait just a little bit longer on Christmas morning. But in Advent, we wait, hopefully, expectantly, anticipating that God will reveal God’s self in some shape and form.
Advent. Is about making room. The world around us is chaotic and feels, often, out-of-control. Add the consumer-driven frenzy of the season and the call to buy, buy, buy, who has time or the mindset to slow down and get ready? To make room for whatever God is going to do?
Advent. Is about welcoming. Welcoming is throwing open the doors of our hearts, our spirit, our souls, to something bigger than ourselves. That takes some prayer. That takes some quiet and stillness. That takes, hmm, taking a deep breath and getting into a decent head/heart space.
Welcoming what needs to come into your life; it just needs an invitation… Advent. Is about God-with-Us! What does that mean for you? How does that fit into your everyday, ordinary life? How does it make a difference, if any? In the midst of this season where some can get uptight on whether you say Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays, does this notion of God-with-us, give you hope or is just one more thing to feel guilty about because, well, __________________. (Insert a shrug, eye-roll, favorite emoji, sigh, etc.).
The choice, as usual, is up to you. You have a choice, a voice in how you engage with this season of Advent. You determine the pace of life you want in the midst of the frenzy of those around you. You have an opportunity to find yourself within this story of waiting, longing, participating, etc., and to discover how God speaks to you in the midst of it. Brothers and Sister, get ready…
Emmanuel – God with us, revealed in us…
Blessings and Joy!
Humble over Hype!
Pastor Mark
Advent Week 1: November 30th
Sermon Text – Matthew 24:36—44
Sermon Title – Ready, Set, Go!
The Written Word – Luke 1:68—79
The Written Word – Psalm 46
Advent Week 2: December 7th
Sermon Text – Matthew 3:1—12
Sermon Title – Prepare
The Written Word – Isaiah 11:1—10
The Written Word – Romans 15:4—13
Advent Week 3: December 14th
Sermon Text – Luke 1:46b—55
Sermon Title – Proud Mary Sings
The Written Word – Isaiah 35:1—10
The Written Word – James 5:7—10
Advent Week 4: December 21st
Cantata Sunday
Homily Text – Matthew 1:18—25
Homily Title – Anticipation: It’s Making Me Wait
The Written Word – Isaiah 7:10—16
Christmas Eve: December 24th
Homily Text – Luke 2:1—14 (15—20)
Homily Title – The Eagle Has Landed
The Written Word – Isaiah 9:2—7
The Written Word – Psalm 96
First Sunday after Christmas: December 28th
Sermon Text – Matthew 2:13—23
Sermon Title – That’s Not How the Story Goes?
The Written Word – Hebrews 2:10—18
The Written Word – Psalm 148
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