The readings are from the NSRV (New Revised Standard Version) Bible. You can read the passages online at: http://www.biblegateway.com/&version=NRSV.
[00:00:38] First Reading - Isaiah 2:1-5
[00:01:55] Second Reading - Romans 13:11-14
[00:03:11] Gospel Reading - Matthew 24:36-44
[00:04:22] Sermon - Rev. Chris Roth
[00:18:53] Blessing and Dismissal
Questions for reflection on readings for Advent 1:
- How are you preparing for the coming of Jesus this Advent?
- To be a Christian is (to some degree) to learn to live with unfulfilled expectations in this present life, knowing that true fulfillment will only come when Jesus comes. What expectation might you need to learn to be content with not having fulfilled?
- Compare how we normally prepare for Christmas and how we prepare for the coming of Christ.
What is Advent?
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)
www.sttimothy-edm.ca
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)
www.sttimothy-edm.ca
