Advent I. Dec 1. How Do We Begin Again?

 Advent I.  Dec 1. How Do We Begin Again?

Jeremiah 33:14-16;1 Thessalonians 3:9-13; Luke 21:25-36

I saw this the other day and I have been thinking about it...." Forgiveness is re-gifting the grace that God gave you."  Some how we are stuck.  If the truth be told, we are locked into where we are and what we are doing without hope of getting any light.  We should take advantage of the new season we are in today to ask, " How do we start?"  

When I use the lawnmower, I check the oil religiously, and try and see how the air filter is doing by taking it out. I may even turn the lawnmower slightly on its side to see what is going beneath it.  Any grass from last time still in there?  Does the blade turn?  On another way of looking I have a fitbit watch and I wondered why it was not charging.---  Seems the back is magnetic.  It had a paper clip stuck there, and when I plugged the charger in I could not figure out why it was not charging till the day after when I saw the blue paper clip that melded into the black and stopped the charging.

Do we get the point?  Do we need to look under the hood so to speak, kick the tires, check the oil, check the wiper fluid?

We already have the grace of God , so we can regift it .  We already have the gift.  So give it back to ourselves as we drive forward , not driving by looking in the rear view mirror only.  You need both of course while driving but one is more important.  Which is it do you think?

The Thessalonians already had the gift of grace but they needed a nudge by the Apostle to use it. I Thess. 3:10 " that we may see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?"  To restore, to equip, to perfect, to prepare, to mend

Perfect Meaning: (a) I fit (join) together; met: I compact together, (b) act. and mid: I prepare, perfect, for his (its) full destination or use, bring into its proper condition (whether for the first time, or after a lapse).

Word Origin: From κατά (kata, meaning "down" or "according to") and ἄρτιος (artios, meaning "complete" or "perfect")

The verb "katartizó" carries the sense of making something complete or whole. It is used in the New Testament to describe the process of restoring something to its original or intended state, equipping someone for a task, or perfecting a person or thing. This term often implies a sense of repair or preparation, whether it be mending nets, restoring relationships, or equipping believers for spiritual maturity.

Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, "katartizó" was commonly used in various contexts, such as mending fishing nets, setting broken bones, or preparing an army for battle. The term conveys a sense of bringing something into its proper condition or function. In the New Testament, this word is often used metaphorically to describe spiritual restoration and preparation, reflecting the early Christian emphasis on community, healing, and readiness for service." biblehub.com

"Today I want to read to you a poem that is based on a rather famous

poem about Christmas called 'Twas the Beginning of Advent'. It is

by - Todd Jenkins. It will tell you a little bit about this season we celebrate.

'Twas the beginning of Advent and all through the Church

Our hope was all dying we'd given up on the search.

It wasn't so much that Christ wasn't invited,

But after 2,000 plus years we were no longer excited.

Oh, we knew what was coming no doubt about that.

And that was the trouble it was all "old hat."

November brought the first of an unending series of pains

With carefully orchestrated advertising campaigns.

There were gadgets and dolls and all sorts of toys.

Enough to seduce even the most devout girls and boys.

Unfortunately, it seemed, no one was completely exempt

From this seasonal virus that did all of us tempt.

The priests and prophets and certainly the kings

Were all so consumed with the desire for "things!"

It was rare, if at all, that you'd hear of the reason

For the origin of this whole holy-day season.

A baby, it seems, once had been born

In the mid-east somewhere on that first holy-day morn.

But what does that mean for folks like us,

Who've lost ourselves in the hoopla and fuss?

Can we re-learn the art of wondering and waiting,

Of hoping and praying, and anticipating?

Can we let go of all the things and the stuff?

Can we open our hands and our hearts long enough?

Can we open our eyes and open our ears?

Can we find him again after all of these years?

Will this year be different from all the rest?

Will we be able to offer him all of our best?

So many questions, unanswered thus far,

As wise men seeking the home of the star.

Where do we begin how do we start

To make for the child a place in our heart?

Perhaps we begin by letting go

Of our limits on hope, and of the stuff that we know.

Let go of the shopping, of the chaos and fuss,

Let go of the searching, let Christmas find us.

We open our hearts, our hands and our eyes,

To see the king coming in our own neighbours' cries.

We look without seeking what we think we've earned,

But rather we're looking for relationships spurned.

With him he brings wholeness and newness of life

For brother and sister, for husband and wife.

The Christ-child comes not by our skill,

But rather he comes by his own Father's will.

We can't make him come with parties and bright trees,

But only by getting down on our knees.

He'll come if we wait amidst our affliction,

Coming in spite of, not by our restriction.

His coming will happen of this there's no doubt.

The question is whether we'll be in or out.

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock."

Do you have the courage to peer through the lock?

A basket on your porch, a child in your reach.

A baby to love, to feed and to teach.

He'll grow in wisdom as God's only Son.

How far will we follow this radical one?

He'll lead us to challenge the way that things are.

He'll lead us to follow a single bright star.

But that will come later if we're still around.

The question for now: Is the child to be found?

Can we block out commercials, the hype and the malls? 

Can we find solitude in our holy halls?

Can we keep alert, keep hope, stay awake?

Can we receive the child for ours and God's sake?

From on high with the carolling host as he sees us,

He yearns to read on our lips the prayer, Come Lord Jesus

As Advent begins all these questions make plea.

The only true answer: We will see, we will see. "

Richard J. Fairchild, ChristianGlobe Illustrations, in sermons@.sermons.com

Today's Luke Gospel 21:25-36 " And then shall they see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory"

I close with this illustration, "When the Play Is Over

C. S. Lewis said that when the author appears on the stage, you know the play is over. This is how he understands the doctrine of the Second Coming of our Lord. It means that he who has begun a good work will bring it to the best conclusion of which he is capable. After all, no one has ever claimed that this planet earth was intended to exist forever. In what is called by scientists "the second law of thermodynamics," it is clearly predicted that the energy supply of this planet will eventually come to an end, which means that a conclusion of life as we know it here is inevitable. The concept of the Second Coming merely affirms that such a conclusion will be purposeful. The drama of history is not going to just fizzle out or end in a whimper! It is going to come to the kind of climax that he who conceived the drama wants for it. sermons@sermons.com

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.