Advent Musings

Well, we've made it through the first Sunday of Advent.  The Christmas season is in full swing and I am sure you are swamped. 

I always loved the Sundays of Advent and what they represented.  Each Sunday, I would use a family in the church to light the candles and read the specific scriptures. 

Usually on the first Sunday, I chose John 1:4,5 — In Him was life, and that light was the light of men."

On the second Sunday, from the New Testament, I would most often have the reading of Luke 2:1-7 — .".. because there was no room for them in the inn."

On the next Sunday, the third Sunday, I would direct my congregation to Luke 2:8-14 — "Glory to God in the highest and, on earth, peace to men on whom His favor rests." On and on each Lord's Day of Advent would go.

Just think, you have the privilege of preaching the same message that was delivered to the shepherds hundreds of years ago — a message still relevant and life changing, "Good news of great joy that will be for all people." Be bold, my colleague.  Preach and teach the truth with passion and transparency.  Let your people know how blessed and thrilled you are to serve them as a shepherd, and feed them with the sustenance of the Scriptures.

So what do you do for the Advent Sundays?  Why not take a moment and comment here about your tradition.  I'm sure others would enjoy reading it.  And remember we have an Advent series on the podcast.  You can access it at podcast.hblondon.org.