For
Sunday, December 10, 2017, 2nd Sunday of Advent, Year B, Readings: Isaiah 40:1-11, Psalm 85:1-2,
8-13; 2 Peter 3:8-15a, Mark 1:1-8
"Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken..." He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead the mother sheep. [Isaiah 40:5, 11]
You have been gracious to your land, O LORD...Mercy and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth shall spring up from the earth, and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
[Psalm 85:1a, 10-11]
The Lord is not slow about his promise...but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance...in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home. [2 Peter 3:9, 13]
As it is written..."See I am sending my messenger ahead...the voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.'" And people from the whole Judean countryside, and all of the people of Jerusalem were going out to [John the baptizer] and were baptized...confessing their sins. [Mark 1:2a, 3, 5]
The Advent season brings a variety of symbols that aid us in prayerful reflections. The use of the Advent wreath was begun in the time of Martin Luther of the Protestant Reformation and how it is used differs among the many traditions that employ it. In many, there are at least four candles on a wreath of evergreen that is shaped in a perfect circle to symbolize the eternity of God. The lighting of the candles is to symbolize the coming of Christ.
During each Sunday of Advent, in some traditions, the candles represent the four virtues Jesus brings us: Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace. Others
consider the lighting of the first candle to symbolize expectation, while the
second is hope, the third joy, and the fourth purity. The Christ candle, in the center of the wreath, is lighted on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day reminding Christians that Jesus is the
light of the world. Last week I chose Hope as a focus and this week, Love. Keeping alive Hope in and Love of Christ is a way to prepare ourselves and keep our own paths straight in these unsettled uncertain times.
Things weren't so very different in John the Baptizer's times, except no one knew the story of Jesus as we do now. Their lives were filled with wars, pestilence, racial hatred, poverty, and oppression
and then here comes this rather wild-looking and sounding person direct from the desert telling them to straighten up and
straighten out - the way of the Lord must be prepared! Also, the Messiah's arrival really was imminent as Jesus was literally on his way to them. We've gotten a bit complacent, 2000+ years later. We conveniently forget the admonishment that the time of Christ's return will come like a thief. We have set
aside imminence for: whatever, whenever. But I have to take a step back and consider: if I didn't know then what I know now, how would I have responded to John and his message?
Here, today, in our world filled with wars, disease, racial hatred, and oppression, etc., from the first chapter of the first Gospel ever written, John is still the
voice crying...in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of
repentance for the forgiveness of sins. [Mark
1:4] Are
we listening and heeding or is it just that same old familiar refrain we hear
on the way to Christmas?
This is a time of beginning, a moment to discover if we are increasingly more caught up in the soul-less wilderness of a mostly secular
society than we are in presenting
our best selves to our God. It is again, still, always, time for some soul-searching and sincere repentance.
To
repent means literally to "turn from" or even to "turn
toward." Through the waters of baptism we are forgiven, cleansed, and the
fire of sin is doused. Let us turn from sin, turn toward Jesus, and reclaim the forgiveness and cleansing of our
baptism. If it truly is more blessed to give than to receive, now is
the time to give ourselves by preparing for the Coming of Christ who
will baptize us with the Holy Spirit. And through Christ we receive the greatest Gift of all.
LET
US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~ Gracious, Loving LORD,
gather us in Your arms and draw us out from the spiritual wilderness we make
for ourselves through our daily neglect of You. Speak peace to us who seek
patience of heart and faithfulness of soul, as we make ready for new heavens and
a new earth, in the coming of our Savior, Christ.
Jesus, Emmanuel
RESPONSE: Come, Ransom Us Again
~
Gracious, Loving LORD, our tumultuous world is rife with racial, religious, and
political hatred; devastation from natural and human-made disasters, searing
poverty and war, and the dismantling of compassion and empathy through
unchecked power and unrelenting greed. In this sacred waiting time, let us
prepare the Way of our Christ, speaking to those who govern on this Planet, in
our Nation, and in our local Community, by taking intentional and positive
steps toward the renewal of mercy, truth, righteousness, and peace among us
all. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
Jesus, Emmanuel
Come,
Ransom Us Again
~
Gracious, Loving LORD, give comfort to everyone who is suffering through
illness, addiction, or despair; and bestow special grace upon all who provide
support. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add
your own petitions
Jesus, Emmanuel
Come,
Ransom Us Again
~
Gracious, Loving LORD, grant hope to all who grieve, as the heaven now
celebrates each soul that has departed from earthly woes and entered the joy
and peace that passes all mortal understanding. We pray especially
for: add your own petitions
Jesus, Emmanuel
Come,
Ransom Us Again
~
Gracious, Loving LORD, we pause in this moment to offer You
our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials,
aloud or silently… add your own petitions
Jesus, Emmanuel
Come,
Ransom Us Again
~
Gracious, Loving LORD, energize and excite all who lead us in Your Church, that
together in this holy season, we may re-ignite our faith-filled wonder and
eager anticipation, turning our hearts, minds, and lives back to You. We pray
especially for: add your own petitions
Jesus, Emmanuel
Come,
Ransom Us Again
The
Celebrant adds: Jesus, Lord at thy Birth, let us repent of our sins in the
silent nights of our souls, that we may feel the approach of Your redeeming
grace, and seek the dawn of indescribable joy through life and love everlasting
in You. We ask through the Holy Spirit, our Advocate, and the
Creator, Most High, who together with You, are our One God, on earth, in
heaven, forever. Amen.
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