Second Sunday of Advent

Readings: Isaiah11:1-10; Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19; Romans 15:4-13; Matthew 3:1-12

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. . . May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Hope, noun,  A desire of some good, accompanied with at least a slight expectation of obtaining it, or a belief that it is obtainable. Hope differs from wish and desire in this, that it implies some expectation of obtaining the good desired, or the possibility of possessing it. Hope therefore always gives pleasure or joy; whereas wish and desire may produce or be accompanied with pain and anxiety.  Webster’s 1828 Dictionary of American English.

When I was a kid I would wish for things during Christmas time.  Just like any other kid that I grew up with.  Sometimes those wishes came true, most times they didn’t.  But those wishes were not based upon something certain or true.  The hope that the scriptures speak of is certain.  Israel hoped for their Messiah, the prophets wrote that he would come, and he did.  In the same way the Church has promises given to them that Christ will return and as we have the promises fulfilled of his first coming so to we hope in His Second Coming and this brings us joy and peace. 

Catechism Wednesday

 What is the misery of that estate whereunto man fell?
All mankind, by their fall lost communion with God, are under His wrath and curse, and 80
made liable to all the miseries of this life, to death itself, and to the pains of hell forever.

And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.
(Gen 3:8 ESV)
He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life.
(Gen 3:24 ESV)
Among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
(Eph 2:3 ESV)
For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.”
(Gal 3:10 ESV)
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(Rom 6:23 ESV)
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
(Mat 25:41-46 ESV)
The wicked shall be turned into hell, all the nations that forget God.
(Psa 9:17 MKJV)

First Sunday in Advent

Readings: Isaiah 2:1-5; Psalm 122; Romans 13;11-14; Matthew 24:36-44

Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. (Mat 24:44 ESV)

Advent serves a dual purpose it reminds us of the fulfilment of the promises that God gave to his people Israel regarding their coming Messiah and the promises given to the Church concerning His glorious return. Today’s scripture readings reminds us of both of these promises. Are you looking towards Christ’s return or has the hussle and business of the “Winter Holidays” consumed your time? Are you more concerned with getting your lights up onthe house and the tree decorated than looking for Christ’s return? Its too easy to get involved with business of the “Winter Holidays” and miss what the season of Advent directs us to: Christ’s return and our joy at seeing our Lord.

Prayer:

Lord God help us to focus on what is important during this season of Advent, your promises to us concerning your return to us in all your glory. As we go about our mundane tasks this week let your Word make us ready for your return. Amen

O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny
From depths of Hell Thy people save
And give them victory o’er the grave
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, O come, Thou Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai’s height,
In ancient times did’st give the Law,
In cloud, and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.