Advent is a time of preparation. It should be designed to prepare us to celebrate again the gift of God, his son, Jesus. We in Protestant circles have not always placed much emphasis on Advent. We want to rush right into Christmas. Celebrate again the birth, God's coming. We already know what is coming, why prepare?
I thought about this after someone said, “Christmas is for children”. I wanted to disagree but it was neither the time nor the place. Maybe Christmas has become a day for children but I am not sure Christmas is for children, at least not in the context it was meant.
Christmas is God's gift for the world. Christ came not for one people or nation but for the whole world. The idea of a God who was the sole property of a single nation or people was shattered in Bethlehem. The baby born in a stable in Bethlehem came for the whole world. It was a birth for all people and all generations. Christmas is for the world!
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The text from Matthew is Jesus' words concerning John the Baptist. John came as one who was preparing the way. He was getting the people ready for God. He was the messenger, he was Advent! He would point the world away from himself and on to the Son.
Advent prepares us, the people of God, to celebrate again the coming of God. How do we do that? We tell again the story of Christ's coming. The world, the whole world, knows about Christmas. This is our great opportunity to tell the story. This is God's gift to the Church, a time to tell the story. Not to bemoan secularization, holiday trees, or other infringements on the season. We are still able to tell the story. We may need to become more creative in our telling – but that is great – the story is still able to be told.
May we use this Advent time to tell the story.
Pastor Plourde
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December Scripture and Sermons
December 6
Communion Sunday
Second Sunday in Advent
Malachi 3:1-4; Luke 1:68-79
“A Father's Prayer”
December 13
Third Sunday in Advent
Zephaniah 3:14-20; Luke 3:7-18
“Proclaiming Promises”
December 20
Fourth Sunday in Advent
Micah 5:2-5a; Luke 1:47-55
“Mary's Song”
December 27
Psalm 148; Colossians 3:12-17
“Christmas Hearts”
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Advent Wednesday's
During Advent we will not have our normal Wednesday Bible Study but rather an Advent Service followed by light supper. The Service will be at 5 p.m. with the meal following. We will use the Advent Candles as our theme. Please plan on joining us. (There is no charge for the meals.)
December 2 – Light/Hope
Isaiah 60:19; John 5:35-36
A Light Beyond All Others
December 9 – Peace
Nahum 1:15; Ephesians 2:11-22
Let There Be Peace
December 16 – Joy
Jeremiah 31:13; John 16:20
Let This Joy Be in You
December 23 – Love/Surprise
Jeremiah 14:9; Luke 2:1-20
Surprised by Love
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