First Sunday of Advent
I had the privilege of going to an interchurch gathering yesterday. 11 churches were represented from Lutheran, United, Mennonite, to Catholic. It was a service celebrating the first Sunday of Advent. It's been a long time since I've been in a church that followed a liturgy and had congregational singing with only a piano. It brought me back to the days when I used to attend a more traditional church. It was really great.
What always amazes me about Advent is that it unifies congregations. It doesn't matter in that moment what brand of doctrine we believe because it is all about the coming of the saviour of all. And somehow that draws everyone together.
Isaiah 2:2-5 "In those days, the Temple of the LORD in Jerusalem will become the most important place on earth, People from all over the world will go there to worship. Many nations will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the Temple of the God of Israel. There He will teach us his ways , so that we may obey him. " For in those days the Lord's teaching and his word will go out from Jerusalem.
The Lord will settle international disputes. All the nations will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. All wars will stop, and military training will come to an end. Come, people of Israel, let us walk in the light of the LORD!" (NLT)
The unity shown last night is nothing compared to what is coming. The first Sunday of Advent, for me is a time of anticipation. Anticipation of the celebration of His first coming, anticipation of what He is doing in the earth now, and an even greater anticipation of His return.
Come LORD Jesus, Come!
What always amazes me about Advent is that it unifies congregations. It doesn't matter in that moment what brand of doctrine we believe because it is all about the coming of the saviour of all. And somehow that draws everyone together.
Isaiah 2:2-5 "In those days, the Temple of the LORD in Jerusalem will become the most important place on earth, People from all over the world will go there to worship. Many nations will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the Temple of the God of Israel. There He will teach us his ways , so that we may obey him. " For in those days the Lord's teaching and his word will go out from Jerusalem.
The Lord will settle international disputes. All the nations will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. All wars will stop, and military training will come to an end. Come, people of Israel, let us walk in the light of the LORD!" (NLT)
The unity shown last night is nothing compared to what is coming. The first Sunday of Advent, for me is a time of anticipation. Anticipation of the celebration of His first coming, anticipation of what He is doing in the earth now, and an even greater anticipation of His return.
Come LORD Jesus, Come!
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