What Do You Know

Please read Matthew 24:36-44.  Today begins the four-week Advent journey.  It’s a time of preparation and anticipation; a time to stop and reflect on Christ’s coming into the world and watch with expectant hope for his return.  We yearn for a season of joy, but is our focus on what matters? 

      First, is your heart filled with hope?  Do you have the confident expectation of tomorrow? As we contemplate those questions, we need to know that the answer is Jesus.  Hope in Jesus carries us through the waiting. Hope in Jesus helps us to persevere and hope in Jesus brings joy.  Jesus is the light of the world, overcoming the darkness of sin that separates us from God.  He shines bright during our storms directing our steps just as a lighthouse brings boats into safe harbors.  As the Advent candles are lit, we witness the symbolic sign of the growing light of Christ; the light of God who came to the world through the birth of His Son, and coming again in all fullness into the darkness of our world.

     So, what are we preparing for right now?  While gift buying, cookie baking and card writing are parts to our celebration, first and foremost is the preparing of our hearts for the Jesus.  This is a warning moment, encouraging us to repent and move into this season with the hope from a God who offers forgiveness and new mercies each day.  Is there something heavy on your heart that you have been putting off?   Church, this is not a passive season.  Advent calls us to actively participate in a relationship with our Savior.  God’s decision to reach down and extend hope to each of us through the life and sacrifice of Jesus is clear, we need to respond to the invite.  He knocked at the door, we need to open it, invite Him in and cultivate a relationship.   He is the hope for our tomorrows to be secure.  Christ came and will come, we are forgiven, and our future is assured in Him.  This is news we need to go and tell, share it and shout it. 

     We are prone to distraction and need to be mindful of God’s presence and providence. Ways we can focus on the hope we have in Jesus include: reading chapters 1 and 2 of Luke; listening to Christian Christmas hymns and reflect on its message; putting out your manger; utilizing an Advent calendar reading; making an Advent wreath and reading the devotions; researching the 100s of Old Testament prophecies that have been fulfilled by Jesus, and in every case tell others what you are doing to anticipate Jesus’ coming.   

    Church, do not allow the commotion of the season to move Jesus from first place.  Do not allow exhaustion and indebtedness cloud the hope.  Christ humbled himself and this season calls us to that too.  Invite Jesus to know your brokenness, repent, let go of what you are holding on to and receive the healing. We don’t want to have a messy house for Christmas, and even more so not a messy heart.  As we are receptive to the preparation we enter a deeper relationship and are challenged and changed.   As we prepare and anticipate, I urge you to look for Jesus – be aware, prepared, waiting and ready--full of anticipation.  And all God’s people say, amen! 

Blessings,

Pastor Kerry

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