Sunday, November 27th - First Sunday of Advent Reading (Hope)
What is Advent?
Advent is a season running through the month of December in which Christians look back to the Incarnation of Jesus Christ, when the Son of God became a man for our sake, and we look forward to his coming return. In setting apart time to focus on parts of Christ’s life throughout the year (Lent, Easter, Advent, and Christmastime), we orient our lives, not around our business calendars, or sports calendars, but around the life-giving life of Christ who though being God, humbled himself and took on flesh and blood for our sake, to cleanse us from our sin and reconcile us back to God. To deliver us from the domain of darkness and bring us into the Kingdom of Light and Life in God.
This season encourages us to do some self-examination as we ponder the coming of God in Christ, in the flesh, born in Bethlehem. We were created to live with God, towards God, and for God and our hearts will remain restless until we find rest in Him, as the early church Father Augustine says. Our desire this season is to work together to quiet our hearts, to let the Spirit of God convict us, comfort us, and call us toward Christ. To prepare him room in our hearts, and to orient our lives around him finding the hope, joy, peace, and the eternal fullness of life God has given us through Jesus.
As a means of doing that, each week we will read some scripture and light a candle. As Advent continues and we near the celebration of Christ’s coming, the light of the candles will grow. This week, we are reflecting on the hope of God, who promised from the very beginning to redeem and rescue us. This candle, as it burns, reminds us of the confidence and hope we should have in this and every season, as we look back to the fulfillment of God’s promises in the coming of Christ and then look forward to the return of Christ prophesied in the New Testament. Our God who has promised is faithful.
Join me in reflecting on the prophecy found in scripture.
Reading Isaiah 9:2;6-7
The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned.
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this.
Prayer
Lord God, many things are pulling for our attention as we enter this Advent season. For some of us, our days are filled to the brim with friends and family, for others work consumes much of our life, for those of us who are young anticipation for gifts crowds our hearts and minds, and for those of us who are aging, our joy and hope is mixed with grief as we consider those who aren’t around this year.
You are not shocked by any of this. Would you meet us where we are and lead us deeper into your truth so that we might know and believe you are near? That you sent your son to be God with us, not once a long time ago, but once and for all.
Help us to make room in our hearts and minds to see and savor your Son this Advent season. Comfort the afflicted, counsel the confused, convict the consumed. Glorify your name in our hearts and lives. May all the glitz and glam, hustle and bustle, desire and longing, aches and pains draw our hearts more fully to you.
We ask these things in Jesus' name,
Amen.
