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| Taking back Christmas - Isa 9:2, 6&7 |
The People walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the lands of the shadow of death a light has dawned. (Isa. 9:2 NIV)
Norman Sawchuck and Rueben P. Job in “A Guide to Prayer for all who seek God” write,
”Advent marks the beginning of the church year and lays before
us the pathway of faith for the year ahead. Advent initiates
once again remembering, retelling, and celebrating the whole
drama of God's Revelation.
Four weeks is the limit to this season that declares the truth
about a God whose love and resourcefulness have no limits.
"Advent" has its roots in the Latin word "adventus," or
coming. This season proclaims the coming of Christ in the
Birth of Jesus, in the Word and Spirit, and in the final
victory when God's kingdom shall be complete.
Our privilege as Christians is to receive the gracious gift
of God's presence in Christ. Our task is to prepare for His
Coming, so that we will not miss life's greatest gift.”
The Advent Season 2005 is upon us. Already the rush and bustle of the season has begun. We are busy preparing our gifts for family and friends as an expression of our love. Christmas is a wonderful time of the year.
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The Advent Season focus on the gifts that Jesus brings to us. We take back Christmas by celebrating the spiritual meaning of the event and discover anew the spiritual truth of the coming of Jesus into our world as God’s gift of love to us. This year accept the gifts that Jesus brings and share His love with others.
Taking back Christmas must be intentional on our part. It challenges us to rewrite our schedules to reflect the true meaning of the event. As the year draws to a close, family schedules and personal agendas fill with engagements, programs, parties and annual obligations. The carol “Silent Night” could not have been written at the end of the twentieth century. The title evokes a peace and stillness we can only imagine.
To reclaim Christmas we need to draw close to God who became flesh and lived amongst us. It is difficult to harmonize meditation and car pooling. How do we carve out moments of quiet and worship and open ourselves to God’s Presence? Perhaps we have to lower our sights from hours spent around hearths, Christmas trees, decorated halls and festivities to schedule quiet times when the family can sit together and contemplate what Christmas is all about.
The first theme of Advent is Hope. It is the first gift that Jesus brings to us. It is a bright light in a dark world. (Isa 9:2, 6&7) We continue to hope in God’s promise that Christ will come again to fill our world with love, joy and peace.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, speak to my heart during this season as you spoke to your prophets. Remind me again of the journey you call me to make and the work you would have me to do.
I am your servant, O Lord. Speak to me in this holy season and turn my eyes to watch for your coming.
About the Author
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Pastor Earl Batstone has pastored for more than forty years. He retired as General Superintendent of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Nfld in 2002. He and his wife Lily are presently active in Short Term Missionary work. They reside in Paradise, Newfoundland and may be reached at: earlbatstone@nl.rogers.com |
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Lost
Luke 15:4-7
What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
Luke 15:11-32
And he said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
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