Advent - Day One

““And there will be strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides. People will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth, for the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with power and great glory. So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!” Then he gave them this illustration: “Notice the fig tree, or any other tree. When the leaves come out, you know without being told that summer is near. In the same way, when you see all these things taking place, you can know that the Kingdom of God is near. I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear. “Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.”” (Luke 21:25–36, NLT)

Here is a quote from a song by Bruce Cockburn titled "The Trouble With Normal": "the only trouble is it only gets worse."

This sentiment feels true today and historically. Yesterday, today, and tomorrow we are a people who need hope. On the First Sunday of Advent we light the Candle of Hope. We long that events and times will be anything other than normal. It is a common human sentiment that the world around us appears to be getting worse. The older we get, we become more cynical about the future. Academically and theologically we check the box that we Christians are a people of hope, but is difficult to display hope in our everyday attitudes and choices.

In, the times of the early church people were looking for hope. Hope in the reappearance of Christ Jesus who would establish a New Kingdom of peace and justice for the excluded. For the oppressed the world appeared to only be getting worse. There was no hope of a change for the better.
In our time, the First Week of Advent calls us into the same hope that the new normal will bring peace and justice. As, the Body of Christ we are called to Proclaim that the Kingdom is present in our lives.
Do you ever feel weary in your journey of faith? What encourages you to keep going? Use what God has given you to encourage others.
Blessings and peace, Pastor Mick