Often at this time of year we’re so busy thinking and planning everything that needs doing, that we often fail to stop and consider what is really important. I know I always make lists of what I need to do. Shopping lists, cleaning lists, making sure I don’t miss out anything, but actually no matter how organised I am, or not, Christmas Day still always comes on the 25th and is gone by the 26th! How often now do I play hide and seek and use the words “Coming, whether you’re ready or not.”
Throughout life, not just at Christmas, we have things we need to prepare for: exams, moving house, a new baby, Christmas. These things will still happen, whether we are prepared or not, but it is better if we are ready.
We’re now at that time of the year, leading up to Christmas, which is known as Advent.
Advent, (from Latin adventus meaning “coming”)
The dictionary definition of the word advent is: arrival/ appearance
Advent is the season of reflective preparation for Christ's Nativity at Christmas and Christ's expected return in the Second Coming. We look forward to this time of celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas, but also this is a time of preparation for the second coming of Christ.
John 3 v16
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.
Hallelujah my Father 152
When we talk about preparation in life it involves the physical, emotional and spiritual.
Luke 1 v26-45+56
Mary prepared for Jesus just like any new mother gets ready for her baby, except Jesus was different.
Mary thought about someone else.
Having a baby for Mary was just like it is today, but babies didn’t need all the equipment that babies seem to need these days. As she was going on a journey she probably took something to wrap the baby in to keep him warm. She didn’t have to think of a name as the angel had already told her it would be a boy and would be called Jesus.
We can prepare for Jesus by thinking of others.
Activity 1 – giving a wrapped sweet to someone else in the congregation you wish to thank
Philippians 2 v6-11
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Meekness and majesty 390
Mary was preparing herself to be a mother
Soon after the angel came to Mary, she went to visit her cousin Elizabeth. This was a long journey and she stayed there for about three months, maybe until after the birth of John the Baptist. This would have given her practical experience of babies. Certainly Elizabeth was an older woman who welcomed and supported Mary. (verses 42-45) I’m sure Mary must have spent a lot of time thinking and talking with God over all that had happened. By the time Jesus was born she understood some fantastic things about God and what he had done for her. He had chosen her to be the mother of His son!
We can prepare for Jesus by thinking about and talking with God.
Activity 2 – making our initial out of a coloured pipe cleaner, to remind ourselves we are known and loved by God
Romans 8 v19-21
The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.
Father of creation 714
Mary was preparing for the future
Life was never the same again for Mary. She knew that her son would do great things. That must have been an amazing and scary thought. But she knew that God was powerful and He was in control.
We can prepare for Jesus by asking Him to be with us in the future
Activity 3 – writing down on a post-it something we want God to do for us next year
He came to earth 161
Mary’s Meditation
Why me? That’s what I kept asking myself. Why me? I mean, it was obvious what people were going to say, wasn’t it? The sly looks, the knowing grins, the wagging tongues.
And Joseph? Well he really hit the roof. Furious he was, and who can blame him? If we’d been married it would have been different, but engaged- it was bound to cause a scandal.
And it hurt, more than anyone will know; I never realised people could be so cruel. I didn’t even want a baby, that’s what made it worse. It was the last thing on my mind. I was still young, not ready for that kind of responsibility, wanting to enjoy life a little. I could have done without those sleepless nights, the endless washing, the countless extra demands. And believe me it didn’t get any easier. Well it never does, does it?
I’ll never forget how he disappeared like that on the way back from Jerusalem- a right old panic he had us in. But was he sorry? Well, if he was he had a funny way of showing it. “You should have known where to find me” he said- “My Father’s house, where else?” Cheeky monkey!
And then, just when life was plodding along nicely, back on an even keel, he went swanning off into the wilderness to be baptised.
Oh I know he had to make his own way, don’t get me wrong, but I couldn’t help feeling he was getting mixed up in something dangerous.
And so it proved. We could see it coming, all except him apparently. He said the wrong things to the wrong people, in the wrong places, and there could only be one result.
It nearly broke my heart to watch it- my beautiful boy, broken and bleeding, struggling with that cross, hanging in agony.
But then he looked down, not at the rest of them but at me. And in his eyes was such love, such care, such tenderness!
I saw suddenly the eyes of God looking at me through the eyes of my child, and I asked myself then, as I’d asked so many times before, yet differently this time:
Why me? Why me?
See Him lying 491
In these challenging times, Advent teaches us (just as it has for thousands of believers before us) the value of patience, hope, and faith. In some more traditional churches a candle is lit on each of the the four Sundays of Advent to symbolize hope, peace, joy and love. It's a season that encourages us to hold on to our faith in Christ Jesus that, even in the darkest of moments, we have the victory over the troubles of this world in Him.
It is a time of transformation. It is time to renew our relationship with Jesus and live the life of an intentional disciple.
Philippians 3 v 20
But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lower bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
The next chapter begins saying, therefore stand firm in the Lord!!
I hear the sound 216
Advent is the season that asks us to “ponder 'all these things' in our heart”. The season of Mary's yes; Joseph's dreams; John's cries in the wilderness.
Colossians 3 v17
And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Just like Mary we need our hearts to say yes to God.
Teach me to dance 1013
Advent sketch
The Advent Season is all about reflecting on how we can prepare our hearts and homes for Christ's birth in the world as it is today. It is a time when we can remember, through prayer, reflections, music, and good deeds what the true meaning of Jesus' birth is.
Isaiah 9 v2
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light, on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.
v6-7
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.
Philippians 2 v9-11
Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
We remember the long years during which Israel waited for the coming of the Messiah, and look forward to the final coming of Christ at the end of time.
Into the darkness 821
Ther Lord wants us to wait patiently for his promises to be fulfilled:
James 1 v4
Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
He wants us to wait expectantly knowing we can trust in His promises:
James 5 v7
Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord's coming.
The Lord wants us to wait firmly:
Isaiah 40 v31
Bur those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Restore O Lord 483
Prayer
Loving God, we praise You for Your age-long purpose through the birth of Jesus. We thank You that Your promises are not simply empty words, like so many of ours, but pledges we can rely on, knowing they will always be honoured. Teach us to read the scriptures, hearing Your word revealed in Christ, and trusting in the promise of new life You have given us through Him.
When you ask me to do something that seems unusual or unnecessary; or something that is outside my comfort zone help me to say yes to You. When you ask me to do something that is going to be quite difficult for me or for someone I don’t like very much- help me to say yes to You, just as Mary did so many years ago.
Help us during this time of advent to prepare for Christmas with Jesus totally at the focus of all our preparations. Let us not lose sight of the wonder of that first Christmas when you sent Your son into this world, knowing everything that was to happen, and still has to happen, before we can rejoice in the second coming and the realisation of Your promises of a new heaven and a new earth.
Revelation 11 v15
The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.
Throughout the earth 1064
Notices
- Next Sunday at 10.15am – Alpha Course – part 5.
- Next Saturday – 9th December – Town Centre Carols at 11am led by Churches for Horley
- The church post-box for sending cards to other church members will be available on Sundays 10th and 17th December.
- Our special Christmas Services are on 17th Dec , and on Christmas Day.
- There will be a service as usual at 10.15am on 24th December