Advent is upon us. It is the beginning of a new Church year. What are you looking forward to? What this new year us? Last year at this time, we spoke of the themes of Advent, but perhaps they did not sink into our beings. Now, standing at the threshold of the new year, listen again to the themes of Advent for our uncharted journey into the new year as Advent counts us down to Christmas – God’s inbreaking into this world through Christ Jesus’ birth. The themes will fill our lives and take on new meaning during this time – Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love.
We hear of the hope of a savior for this world. One who will free us the that which confines us – sin and death. We celebrate the peace he will establish on earth. Joy fills us as we hear of the angels’ announcement of his birth. And we celebrate Christ’s birth, the ultimate expression of God’s love for humanity.
(1 John 4:9, NRSV)
Signs of God – hope, peace, joy, and love – give us strength for this time. God’s love is unshakeable. His joy lifts us up when we are down.
His peace passes all understanding. And knowing all this gives us hope. As Paul writes, “May the God of HOPE fill you with all JOY and PEACE in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. I myself feel confident about you, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to instruct one another. (Romans 15:13–14, NRSV).
Let this Advent help us to see these qualities (Hope, Peace, Joy and Love) of God in not only our lives but those around us. May our lives and ministry reflect them in every season.
May you have a blessed Christmas!
Pastor Tim