Advent Sunday

Readings: Isaiah 64v1-9; Psalm 80v1-8; 1 Corinthians 1v3-9; Mark 13v24-end.

Let us pray: May the words of my mouth, and the thoughts and meditations of all our hearts, be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, our strength and our redeemer.

A Word: Today is the first Sunday of our new Church Year, the first Sunday of Advent, the day that marks the start of a time of preparation for the festivities as we call to mind the coming of the Messiah at the first Christmas, as well as His coming return at the end of the age.

In our readings, we hear the prophet Isaiah praying for God to come to earth and make His presence known to the nations. Isaiah reminds us that there is only one God, a God who works for all, a God who keeps in mind all who remember and live in accordance with His ways and those who wait eagerly and hopefully for God. Isaiah confesses that as a people we are made of clay because we sin, make ourselves unclean and then hide away from God; even though God is the potter who makes and transform us, the God who can set aside our sins and vices. For as the psalm tells us, God is the Shepherd of Israel, the Lord God of Hosts, the one enthroned in the angelic realm; the God who is calling us to turn back to Him for salvation and rescue. And, as the letter to the Corinthians tells us, God will strengthen everyone who is called into fellowship with His son, the people who are waiting for the return of the Lord and faithfully living as called by Jesus. For the end of times will one day arrive, and as we hear in Mark, Jesus tells us that when the end of this age arrives, the son of man will come with great power and glory and angels will be sent out to gather in all the living and the dead. Jesus also warns that as no-one other than God knows when this day will be, that we should all stay alert and ready for His return, by fulfilling the work He has given us to do, so we will not be found wanting at His return.

I pray we hear and understand how important this warning is and then choose to live by it.

Let us pray: Almighty God, give us grace to turn away from our sinful and ungodly ways and guide us to live as your light filled people. A people who watch and await the return of Jesus. A people who faithfully live our lives in accordance with God’s ways. A people who are active in service and joyful in praise. A people fit to be welcomed into eternity, when Jesus returns to judge us. Amen