We are in the season of Advent and Christmas is a few days away. Advent is a time of expectation where once again we wait for the first coming of the Lord as a baby born in Bethlehem. If we think about it, Advent is not just something that occurs every December but it is pervasive throughout the Bible. The overriding theme of Advent is wondering, watching, and waiting. Some Biblical examples highlight this theme. The Lord made a covenant with Abram in Genesis 15 that his descendants would one day be as numerous as the stars in the sky. Abram must have wondered what God was talking about but we are told that, "Abram believed the Lord, and He credited to him as righteousness." (Genesis 15:6) After Abram, whom God renamed Abraham (Genesis 17) was visited by three men near the great trees of Mamre he and his wife Sarah were told they would give birth to a son the following year. Sarah was so skeptical given their advanced ages that she laughed. (Genesis 18) However, Abraham and Sarah watched and waited for God's promise to be fulfilled. (Genesis 21)
Expectations Fulfilled
Joseph wondered about the dreams God had given him indicating he would one day be a great ruler, even over his own family. (Genesis 37) Over the course of 13 years, he watched and waited for his dreams to become a reality despite many situations and circumstances that seemed to work against him. (Genesis 39-45) The book of Exodus chronicles how the Israelites wondered where God was in the midst of their oppression and suffering under Egypt's Pharaoh. They had been watching and waiting for over 400 years for a deliverer to set them free from their slavery. Their deliverer did come when God called Moses to go to Egypt to set the people free. (Genesis 3) The Advent theme of wondering, watching, and waiting finds its ultimate fulfillment in the birth of Christ. As Isaiah declares, "The people walking in darkness (wondering, watching, waiting) have seen a great light; on those living in a land of deep darkness a light has dawned...For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:2,6 italics mine)
What's your Advent season?
I have recently entered a new season in pastoral ministry as I wonder, watch, and wait with expectation for what God is going to do in my personal "advent." What about you? Are you experiencing your own "advent" season of wondering, watching, and waiting? If so, expect great things to come as Immanuel (God with us) will bring it to pass just like He did thousands of years ago in Bethlehem and God is faithful!
Merry Christmas and A Blessed New Year!
Pastor Sheree
In this world of hate and strife,
We give You thanks our God for life!
We pray dear Lord that You will heal,
And make your presence known and real,
To those who cry to You for peace,
That dissension on our earth will cease.
So as we gather for our meal,
We pray our hearts with love you'll seal.
Remind us of the folks in need,
And keep us Lord from willful greed.
To you, Oh God our hands we lift,
With thanks for every perfect gift,
That flows from heaven up above,
Made perfect in the Savior's love.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Pastor Sheree
"Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, "children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation." Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain." (Philippians 2:14-16)
Human beings have had a fascination with the universe. Scientists tell us that each star in the sky represents some galaxy light years away from earth. We are so drawn to what lies beyond our world that millions of dollars have been invested over time to send human beings into space. We have successfully landed men on the moon and currently have a working space station hovering above the earth's atmosphere. We have sent space probes and developed powerful telescopes to photograph planets we have yet to explore. What draws our attention to the stars?
Stars Draw People To Them.
If we think about the quality of stars, they illuminate a dark sky. The sun itself is classified as a star and it sustains life on earth as God in His wisdom positioned it approximately 93 million miles away. This distance keeps the earth from being too close so it doesn't burn up and just far enough away so the planet doesn't freeze over. Stars by their very nature draw people to them. Before the invention of clocks and calendars, human beings were guided to destinations through observing the stars. A star drew shepherds to a manger in Bethlehem as well as Magi to Herod's palace and ultimately to the house where they found Jesus. Celebrities are sometimes referred to as movie "stars" because people are drawn to them. The Hollywood Walk of Fame is comprised of cement squares with stars embedded in the sidewalks. The stars are permanent public monuments to achievement in the entertainment industry. People will often take pictures kneeling beside their favorite celebrity star.
We Are God's Stars.
Paul tells believers that as we refrain from negative attitudes and behaviors, we stand apart from the sinful actions that are reflected in our culture. "We shine among them like stars in the sky" as we reflect the light of Christ to a darkened world. We are life givers and as a result we illuminate the darkness through holding on to the word of truth and sharing it with the world. In Daniel's vision of the end times, he is told, "Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like stars forever and ever. (Daniel 12:3) In the book of Revelation, Jesus is referred to as a star, "I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star." (Revelation 22:16) In a way, followers of Christ can be characterized by the children's nursery rhyme, "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" "Twinkle, Twinkle little star, How I wonder what you are. Up above the world so high, like a diamond in the sky. Twinkle, Twinkle little star, How I wonder what you are." Do we reflect the light of Christ in such a way that people wonder who we are? May we continue to draw others to the bright Morning Star!
To God be the glory!
Pastor Sheree
