Awakenings

Advent Cendles
courtesy photobucket.com

 

Taking notes and gleaning from Pastor Jerry’s sermon on the first Sunday of Advent.

Pastor was reading from Luke 21:25-36.   These words of Jesus were both a warning and a challenge to be ready.  To be alert – to be awake! 

The first candle was lit today, the candle of HOPE.  We have this blessed hope that Jesus will come for us someday.  We do not know the day or the hour.  For some He will come sooner than for others.

Advent is a time of preparation.  We are reminded to prepare our hearts for the joy of the first advent when Jesus was born.  May we invite Jesus to be born in our heart if we have not already done so. 

Yes enjoy Christmas and all that it is, but may we also prepare for the Second Advent, the return of Jesus.

Pastor asked us to look beyond the trappings of the season and to focus and rediscover the importance of being prepared for the next advent which is the return of Christ. 

 I Thessalonians 4: 16-18  For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. ¹⁸ Therefore encourage one another with these words.

It is not cause to be afraid, or to use scare tactics, but rather to understand it is time to prepare our hearts.

The theme  of Advent is to keep awake.

Jesus told us “Behold, I am coming soon,” and to notice the fig tree when it sprouts.  We know that it will soon bloom and unseen things are already taking place. 

Many are in fear and faint because their lives are not right with God.  Advent is a time of preparation and getting ready for both advents. 

If life is good and all is going well, we may not be too concerned, but if on the other hand, there are problems with health, finances, work, relationships; then the words of Jesus may strike a different cord.

Enjoy Christmas as you will, but realize that Christmas is not always a happy time for some.  Many have suffered terrible tragedies, disappointments, and loss of loved ones in death who will not be here to celebrate with us this Christmas.

Know this that the sun will rise in the morning, and the SON of God is coming.

May we enjoy Advent and enjoy Christmas, and may we encourage one another to be vigilant and to live with advent daily?