1st Sunday in Advent – Sermon 153

observed since at least the fourth century – and originally used to help Christian converts prepare for baptism – its now seen as a time to look forward – to the birth of Jesus – and the celebrations of Christmas Day

In the early days it lasted from the 11th November – the feast of St. Martin – up to Christmas –

Advent comes from the Latin word for ‘arrival’ or ‘coming’ – ‘The Lord is coming’

Jesus came to Bethlehem – at a specific time in history – He will also come again to judge the living and the dead –

He comes to us in grace – as our Saviour – speaking to us in our hearts – we experience Him through prayer – in the Eucharist – and in the word of God proclaimed – we meet Him in our many day to day experiences – and we need to be ready to receive and welcome Him – whenever and however He comes to us –

So – are we ready – to greet Jesus? – ready to receive the coming Christ child?

‘They will beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks – Nation will not take up sword against nation – nor will they train for war anymore’

Forty years later – these words still seem as far away as ever from fulfillment – we are still spending more on weapons – than the income of the poorest half of the world’s population –

Yet as our Gospel reading tells – us – like the time of Noah – there is a coming day of reckoning – when there will be some incredible surprises –

and – what we need – to realise is that – the sorting and reassessment process begins now – in people’s responses to God and Jesus – not some time in the future – otherwise we just might miss the boat –

Imagine – that its the middle of a hot summer – (not too difficult I’m sure!) – your relaxing in the garden – everything – in the house – is in a look of cheerful untidiness – half drunk tea cups – books and magazines lying about the place –

Suddenly – there’s a knock on the door – and to your horror there are several people outside – ready to come in – expecting to participate in a meeting or event – that you’d planned some time ago but – which you had forgotton about –

In the next five minutes – you steer your visitors into the garden – scramble the papers together- empty the cups – and within minutes everything is neat and tidy – and you are ready for things to go ahead –

Its possible to – tidy up a room – in a few minutes – if you put your mind to it – but you can’t reverse the direction of your whole life –

by the time the knock on the door comes – its too late –

In our Gospel reading – Jesus is preparing His disciples – for His final victory – on the cross – and His return from heaven – He warns them – to -‘keep awake! – for they do not know what day the Lord will come’

The message in the text – is made more complicated – because it talks about – two different events – the coming judgment of Jerusalem – and the final judgment at the close of the world’s history –

Jesus’ message – can be applied to either – or both – on the one hand – its a warning to be ready for the second coming – and on the other a warning to be ready for our own death –

The message that Jesus is trying to get across to us – is that we should behave – like people who know – He will be – coming sooner or later – but who don’t know exactly when

Jesus return will be visible to all – it will not be to a select group – or just to those who know Him – He will return with a resurrected body – and show Himself to everybody – and we need to prepare ourselves for that day –

Point 2          What should we do?

Paul tells us we should – take a spiritual shower – and clothe ourselves with Christ –

turn our lives over to God – show the simple grace of love in action –

We need to – put on the whole armour of God
the breastplate of righteousness
the shoes of the Gospel of Peace
the helmet of salvation
the shield of faith
the sword of the spirit

The door is open for us all to enter –
and we need to live wisely in the light of His return –

we need to fulfill our responsibilities outside the church as well as inside –

Its a human condition – to be superficial about things – if we are asked to explain how we know we are Christians – most of us will answer –
we go to church – regularly
we read our bible fairly frequently
we try to live a good life

How much better – a witness it would be if we answer:

we believe Jesus died on the cross for our salvation
we have chosen to follow Jesus
We have faith that Jesus is the only redeemer

Jesus loves us so much – that He laid down His life – so we could be forgiven for our sins – Do we love Jesus – enough to sacrifice ourselves for Him in front of others?

We are in a race – not competing against each other – but against – evil obstacles that hinder us –

and as Christians – we know the Spiritual battle has already been won – by Jesus – on the cross – but it cannot be our victory as well – until we have have surrendered ourselves to Him – and accepted His authority over our lives –

The day of the Lord – will be is a day of selection
a day of surprises –

In Noah’s time everything perished – except what was inside the Ark – only those who responded – and heeded the warnings were saved –

Point 3      Live in the knowledge of Christ-

Advent calls – us back to the heart of what it is all about – to – refocus our expectations – of supposing that we have already experienced all that God has to offer us –

To look again – for the Glory – still to be revealed – through us – by God – to realise that – the gift that Jesus brings us this year – will be even greater than we have known so far –

What we need to remember is- that the task ahead of us – is never as great as the power behind us –

Believing that He is coming should prompt us into a lifestyle of godliness- and service – it will also bring us – peace – the peace that only Jesus can provide –

When Jesus has us in the palm of His hand – we know we are looked after –

Are we wise enough to accept a baby who has been born to take away our sins?

Advent is a time to refocus and regroup –
to live in constant readiness – to trust and believe in His promises – to trust and believe in this child –

A little girl – came into the room where her father was – and said ‘Daddy can we play?’

‘later’ – said her father – ‘I have to finish this first’

‘OK – she said – ‘When you’ve finished’ – I’ll give you a great big hug’-

‘Thats very kind’ – said her Dad – and as she went to the door – the little girl – did a U-turn – and came back and gave him the biggest hug she could

‘Thought you were going to wait till I finished’- said her dad –

The little girl replied- ‘Thats so you know what you have to look forward to’ –

One meaning of Advent and Christmas – is that God wants us to know – through His first coming – how much we have to look forward to – in His second coming 
 

Conclusion

In Advent – and throughout the coming year – we need – to pray to the Holy Spirit for strength and power – to help us look again at His word – and the promises of His kingdom –

to change and accept afresh – Jesus Christ – into our lives – and to live in the power of His Spirit –

Jesus brings – new life – on a worldwide scale –
He has opened the way to salvation for all who believe and follow Him

Lets not waste any more time – lets make this Advent – the time – when the Christ child really does become part of our lives –