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December 1, 2024 First Sunday in Advent Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Early this morning, I opened our back door to let our dog (Tozer) outside. It was dark and cold, but on the horizon of the eastern sky there was a thin line of light beginning to form. I thought this was a truly fitting way to greet the first Sunday of Advent. I thank God that, in his first coming, Christ has dispelled the darkness of sin and death through his atoning death and given us “...the right to become the children of God…” (John 1:5, 12) I thank God also that, although this world remains tainted with turmoil, distress, and trials as a residue of the fall, Christ is coming again to make all things new.
A few hours later, I had the wonderful privilege of making an episcopal visit at St. Christopher’s Anglican Mission in Wooster, OH. Fr. Clay Huffman has led his congregation through a recent relocation to a new facility and it was my joy to preach, celebrate, and receive three congregants into the Anglican Communion. It was my privilege to observe from today’s Scripture readings that we can face our all-too-often uncertain world strengthened by three great certainties promised by God. 1. The Certainty of Christ’s return. In Acts 1:10-11, two “men in white” promised the disciples who were standing on the Mount of Olives staring into heaven as Christ ascended that “...this Jesus…will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” The Old Testament prophet Zechariah declares that “...a day is coming for the Lord…” and “...on that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives…and the Lord will be king over all the earth.” (Zechariah 14:1, 4, 9). Jesus, The Prophet, promises us that he will personally fulfill that prophetic promise when we “...will see the Son of Man coming with power and great glory.” (Luke 21:27) 2. The Certainty of Christ’s redemption. The Scriptures tell us that, although unbelievers will be a “...people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world…” due to the turmoil of nations preceding Christ’s return, his people cleansed by Christ’s atoning blood, will “...straighten up and raise our heads because our redemption is drawing near.” (Luke 21:26, 28) For us who have placed our hope and trust in Christ alone, his return brings joy and peace to our hearts as “...our God and Father…establishes our hearts blameless in holiness…at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.” (1 Thessalonians 3:13)
This joyous anticipation and expectant hope was present today as we confessed this reality in the Creed and prayed with thanksgiving in the Eucharistic Preface…
“Because you sent your beloved Son to redeem us from sin and death, and to make us heirs in him of everlasting life: that when he shall come again in power and great glory to judge the world, we may without shame or fear rejoice to behold his appearing.” 3. The Certainty of being formed as a people who honor God.
Paul's joy at hearing of the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit that forms the Thessalonian Christians as a people of faith and love is expressed in “thanksgiving…returned to God for them.” (I Thessalonians 3:9) In our Eucharistic (Thanksgiving) celebration today we rejoiced that we are his people through the new covenant in Christ’s blood. And in the reading of the Psalm we were reminded that what God commands us to offer him is “...a sacrifice of thanksgiving…” and a heart disposition of dependency as we “... call upon [him] in the time of trouble; so will I hear you, and you shall praise me.” (Psalm 50:14, 15, cf. 24)
Throughout this new liturgical year launched by this season of Advent, may we be a people who are filled with and formed by God’s enabling favor so that thankfulness and humility will be true hallmarks of our life in Christ. A prayer life shaped by abounding thanksgiving and humble dependence will certainly shape us in Christ-likeness.
Please pray with me:
“Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and to put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.” “Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.”
In thankfulness to and dependence on Christ alone,
+MarkBishop Mark —————————————
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