The readings are from the NSRV (New Revised Standard Version) Bible. You can read the passages online at: http://www.biblegateway.com/&version=NRSV.
[00:02:08] First Reading - Isaiah 11:1-10
[00:04:22] Second Reading - Romans 15:4-13
[00:06:27] Gospel Reading - Matthew 3:1-12
[00:08:16] Sermon - Rev. Chris Roth
[00:34:25] Blessing and Dismissal
Questions for reflection on readings for Advent 2:
- What do you think it would be like John the Baptist?
- Why do you think people were drawn to him?
- “If God does not care about what I do, I will begin to suspect that God does not actually care about me. If God loves me enough to welcome me into Christ’s family, then God loves me enough to expect something of me” (David Bartlett). What do you think of that statement?
- What does it mean for you to “prepare the way of the Lord?”
Advent is the season that begins the church’s yearly cycle of seasons. It starts on the 4th Sunday before Christmas and ends on Christmas Eve. The word Advent comes from the Latin word for “coming”. Advent is marked by expectation and anticipation of Jesus’ coming to humanity.
We remember a very pregnant Mary on a journey to Jerusalem longing to see her child who holds profound promise and hope. We recall that Jesus will be born on Christmas in an animal’s feeding trough among a people who were longing for a Messiah, sent by God, to rescue them.
We hear the cry of John the Baptist calling us to repent and prepare for the coming of the Lord. So, we prepare our hearts and consider our own yearning to experience more of Jesus’ presence in our daily lives.
We also live in anticipation of the Second Coming when Christ will come again to renew creation and defeat evil once and for all. We prepare our hearts for the day when we will face our Lord and give an account of our lives. Advent is also a time of celebration because we believe that ultimately God is for us and not against us (Rom 8). At the time of his Second Coming he will wipe away every tear from our eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things will have passed away (Rev 21)
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