Sunday 29th November
When these things begin to
take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing
near.
Luke 21.28
It
is very easy at this time of the year just to look forward to December 25th.
Advent invites us to look further.
Sometimes
the Advent readings can seem rather frightening or gloomy but behind them there
is a call, whatever the circumstances in which we and the world find ourselves,
to look up; to look beyond them and to be ready to receive our full salvation.
Whatever
it might mean to ‘see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great
glory’, for those who believe, it will be a great day; such a great day that
living in its light, in His light, will transform the way in which we live our
lives now.
The
hope of heaven is not something that should turn our attention from the needs
of the world, evident as they are. No, the Advent hope will lead us
onward to care for those in need, to proclaim the Good News of Christ in these
special weeks and to rejoice and be glad that in the words of Paul in 1
Thessalonians 3.13, ‘we will be blameless and holy in the presence of our
God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes’.
Almighty God,
as your kingdom dawns,
turn us from the darkness of sin to the light of holiness,
that we may be ready to meet you
in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
as your kingdom dawns,
turn us from the darkness of sin to the light of holiness,
that we may be ready to meet you
in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
La saison d’Avent nous invite à avoir confiance que
nous verrons le Seigneur. Grâce à cette confiance nous pouvons proclamer
les Bonnes Nouvelles de Jésus Christ, en parole et en œuvres de charité.
John Wilkinson
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