Advent 2014

Despite what the stores and the television commercials would have you believe, it isn't Christmas yet.  In fact, the Christmas season doesn't begin until December 25^th.  We are, instead, in the season of Advent. 

Advent is something of an unusual time.  On the one hand it is the time of preparation for Christmas and the stories of the nativity, Joseph, Mary, Jesus’ birth and so forth.  On the other hand, Advent is a time of reflection and hope for the second Advent, or the second coming of Christ.  In that respect it is a time of not merely remembering Christmas, but looking forward in hope for the fully realized Kingdom of God.

In the middle of those two understandings of Advent, there is the tension of seeking to encounter the present reality of Christ.  In other words, we continue to seek the presence of Christ in our own lives, not merely looking back at what was and hoping for the future.  Advent is when we stop to reflect on the reality of the unfolding Advent of Christ in our own lives. 

Since Advent is such a tremendously important time in the life of the Church, I hope that you will take advantage of as many opportunities as possible to ‘drink in’ the season to its fullest. 

Over the next four weeks, we will be exploring and encountering Advent through words and music.  This morning, I wish to offer a challenge to us as to how we think about this time of year and what it could mean (vs. what it seems to have come to mean).

The next two Sundays, I want us to listen closer to the stories of Joseph and Mary.  We often assume we know them – their stories are short in the Gospel narratives, and we think we have it down pat in our minds.  But there is always more information available should we seek it out. 

Then, on the fourth Sunday, we will be blessed to hear and watch a recounting of the Christmas story in a pageant put together by our own J.C. Smith.

Also on that Sunday, we will be having a special service, “The Longest Night,” which is not a traditional service of worship, but is designed to be a service for those who find this season a very difficult time emotionally.

Finally, on Christmas Eve, we will be holding our Christmas Eve Communion and Candle Light service at 6:30 pm.

Advent is a tremendous time in the life of the church.  It is full of joy, expectation, and life.  It is also a time to reflect and remember that the reason we even gather at all on Sunday is because of the story that begins today.

Come and be a part of the life of the church, and let the church be a part of your life.

Towards Christ the King

The next two weeks I am going to be building off the theme of Christ the King, which is to be recognized on November 23rd.  

Christ the King Sunday is the end of the Christian Year and November 30th begins Advent which also signals the beginning of a new Christian Year.  

But Christ the King Sunday is one that can slip below the radar if we aren't paying attention.  That has to do with the fact that it is overwhelmed by the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.  It is nonetheless an important day in the life of the church.

That has to do mostly with the phrase "Christ the King." Christ the King Sunday sets up the dual nature of Advent: we look towards the celebration of his birth, but also to the celebration of his second advent. 

But there is something else to it, besides celebration.  Christ the King.  Can you hear the subversion?  Can you sense the defiance and the difference those words make?  Maybe, maybe not.  But in the context of the culture in which the Gospels were written, you might very well be able to hear it.

In Roman writings, we find that the Emperor is referred to as the savior, the bringer of peace.  The Emperor was called ‘Lord’; The Emperor was called “The Son of God.”  Caesar is Lord.  In fact, there is an inscription that was written about Caesar that began with these words: “The beginning of the good news to the world on his account.”  This is an inscription written about Caesar.  Caesar the king, the Lord, the Son of the gods (which is how Caesar was often viewed in the Roman Empire).

But here comes the subversive part.  The oldest Gospel, the Gospel of Mark, begins with the words, “The beginning of the good news of Jesus the Christ, the Son of God.”  The early Christians were saying and writing, “Jesus is Lord.”  Not Caesar.  Are you beginning to see the trouble the church was making?  Can you hear the subversive message?  Caesar is Lord.  No.  Jesus is Lord.

As such, when we talk about the judgment of the king, or the Day of the Lord (sometimes called judgment day) we are talking about the judgment of both God and Christ the King.

I would propose the idea that we cannot understand the judgment of the King until we begin to understand what the demands of the King are, and who we are supposed to be in the Kingdom of God.  Only when we begin to understand the Kingdom can we work to be citizens, and then we more clearly understand the judgment of the King.  

So for the next two weeks, I want to offer some observations on what it means to talk of the judgment of the King - Christ the King.  Because when we speak of the King, we move directly into Advent which once again sets the stage for Christians to talk of whom it is we encounter in the person of Jesus.

Come and join us.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Charles