Preacher: Canon Graham
Date: 28/11/2021
Advent Sunday PCH 28/11/21
Advent is here. Emmanuel Come Lord Jesus Come.
Are you excited? I am very excited!
Here we are at the beginning of the Church’s ‘new’ liturgical year.
Next to the Kingdom season Advent is my favourite as I remind myself of the great themes emerging during these next four weeks.
Family kinship, Forth telling, Fulfilment and Humility.
All these teachings come from having an understanding of the role of our forefathers of faith, each of the Patriarchs having their story to tell as we relive those moments of history through the great men and women of faith who have gone before us paving the way.
Of course we get it wrong some of the time, we are human, but thank goodness for the Prophets whose task is to call us back and set us off in the right direction.
Fulfilment in as much as the incredible story of John Baptist, Zechariah and Elizabeth through John become the forerunner of this amazing encounter with God.
Humility in the simple act that Mary plays with such integrity and obedience in making the Christ Child known. Where on earth do we start when we have such a rich pantry to explore?
In Jeremiah we read…
The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will fulfil the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah.
We know our scriptures we know the outcome, but the challenge is: what do we do with them what really matters! The promise that comes is wrapped, nappy wet and crying out in the stillness of the night. An amazing gift that has taken every one of the 2000 years that has followed to try and interpret and re-interpret down through the ages and in the context of time. What does this exactly mean?
Malachi makes it much clearer…
See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple.
Not just Malachi but countless prophets before him, and of course the arrival of John Baptist who right away sets to work in trying to straighten the lives of those who have followed, even if at times following on a somewhat crooked path. None the less the announcement is nigh, and the outcome will be pleasing.
Have you noticed the signs?
‘There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves.
I am not sure about the roaring of the Sea but Friday night’s storm was something to behold… Luke is suggesting that we open our eyes to notice the world around us, the illustration of the Fig tree tells its story
‘Look at the fig tree and all the trees; 30 as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near.
Then comes the warning… when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near.
Luke continues…
‘Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, 35 like a trap.
This is fantastic stuff, these scriptures are the watchwords of this season of Advent. Be on guard, be ready, the time is here… This evening we will echo that great Advent cry as we sing O Come O come Emmanuel… I don’t think it gets any better than this. The new season bursts upon us with this great cry and challenges us to awake from the slumber that we sleepily tread.
This is the excitement this is the challenge as we await the coming of our messiah, our Christ who will enrich and enliven our lives. Advent gives us the opportunity to immerse ourselves in this scripture as we examine our lives and trim our wicks in preparation for the Lord’s Day.
This very evening in this church we will enact the pageant of moving from the darkness of the old world, to the light that comes with Jesus Christ as we embrace the opportunity to be refreshed in him and drawn into his marvellous light. This is the ‘new world’ that is to come, indeed the world in which we are called to carry the light for him. Advent gives us that opportunity to prepare for this light. Later, towards the end of this season we will read the opening verses of John’s Gospel where we are reminded of Jesus coming into the world as a light coming into a darkened room.
The challenge for us is to make ourselves ready that we might be bearers of that light.
Two things I ask you to reflect on as your wrestle with these fabulous scriptures… How are you using your time in being an effective ‘light bearer’ for our Lord, and what particular gifts do you have that might be shared in order that you can encourage others to join with you, as together we all participate in sharing this light?
What lessons can we take away from today’s scriptures?
The keynote on this Advent Sunday has to be about preparation. Are you prepared?
Throughout this season there is the opportunity to join in many activities that will assist our preparation. Joining with us for Morning Prayer as we read the scriptures together, you can do this from the comfort of your own home by zooming in… all the details are on the website.
You might like to join the Advent Study Group again details are on the website or contact Paul Springate. Why not get together with a few friends and set yourselves the task of reading ahead preparing yourselves for the scriptures that will be read on the Sundays in Advent. We publish next week’s readings in the pew leaflet.
In this month’s magazine John Light reminded us that we need to work away at being an enthusiastic church.
What enthusiasm can you bring as together we seek to be bearers of the light to this community?
Be alert at all times, praying that you may stand before the Son of Man.’
My dear people….Advent is here.
Emmanuel Come Lord Jesus Come.