Take, bless, break, give ... "The most reassuring message of Advent is existence of hope does not depend on us. It is a delivery … like the sun rising in defiance of the night" … (like a feast served in the desert) … Will we receive what Jesus gives? + Michael Gerson, Washington Post
3rd Advent Homily Video | Jesus Comes w/ More Compassion & an Overflow of Bread for the Resistance
Homily Scriptures | Matthew 14:14-21
Homily Quote |
Most of us are a jumble of resentments and fears. Most of us can be proud, cruel, foolish and self-deluding. The best response is found in Advent. The most reassuring message of the season is that the existence of hope does not depend on us. It does not rely on our virtue or wisdom. It is a delivery from elsewhere. The German Lutheran theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer — who knew something of the subject — compared Advent to a prison cell “in which one waits and hopes and does various unessential things ... but is completely dependent on the fact that the door of freedom has to be opened from the outside.” The Advent narratives are filled with waiting people: Mary, Zechariah, Elizabeth, Simeon, Anna. They lived in patient expectation and were receptive to the Good News when it arrived. Their hope did not come as the result of a battle. It came like a seed planted in the ground. Like the sun rising in defiance of night. Like a child growing within his mother. We are not the heroes of the story. Our contribution is to be watchful and open. But hope arrives in awesome humility. God is with us. Jesus is with us. This is everything.
+ Michael Gerson
Homily Advent Film Series Reflection | "Joyeux Noel"
Call to Worship | Jeremiah 14:19
You, O Lord, are in the midst of us and we are called by Your name; leave us not, O Lord our God.
O Come, O Come Emmanuel (Song of Confession)
By anonymous monks, 800s
Translated by John Mason Neale, 1800s
O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here.
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death's dark shadows put to flight.
(Chorus)
O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
(Chorus)
O come, Desire of nations, bind
In One the hearts of all mankind;
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,
And be Thyself our King of Peace.
(Chorus)
O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here.
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death's dark shadows put to flight.
(Chorus)
O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
(Chorus)
O come, Desire of nations, bind
In One the hearts of all mankind;
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,
And be Thyself our King of Peace.
(Chorus)
The Cradle and the Cross (Song of Assurance)
Austin Stone Worship, 2013 A.D.
Oh the beauty and the loss of the cradle and the cross,
The Son of God so humbly sent for us.
Into darkness came the light, faith of fathers became sight
When the Christ arrived to save the fold of God.
Humanity embraced, He left a perfect place,
The prize of God in lowly manger lay.
Angels shout with joyous song, saints and sinners sing along
In the highest place, "Glory, Gloria!"
Immanuel, God with us!
Austin Stone Worship, 2013 A.D.
Oh the beauty and the loss of the cradle and the cross,
The Son of God so humbly sent for us.
Into darkness came the light, faith of fathers became sight
When the Christ arrived to save the fold of God.
Humanity embraced, He left a perfect place,
The prize of God in lowly manger lay.
Angels shout with joyous song, saints and sinners sing along
In the highest place, "Glory, Gloria!"
Immanuel, God with us!
The Lamb of God slain for us!
Finally, our hope’s secured by
Finally, our hope’s secured by
The beauty of the cradle and the cross.
The Creator of the stars, then in flesh received the scars
The Creator of the stars, then in flesh received the scars
On the cross He paid the debt of sinners earned.
And even death could not Him hold,
Peace on earth we see unfold
As the risen Christ ascends in victory! (Chorus)
Stars and angels sing around You, "Gloria!"
Hearts unfold like flowers before You, "Gloria!"
Joyful, joyful, we adore You, "Gloria!" (Chorus)
Offering
And even death could not Him hold,
Peace on earth we see unfold
As the risen Christ ascends in victory! (Chorus)
Stars and angels sing around You, "Gloria!"
Hearts unfold like flowers before You, "Gloria!"
Joyful, joyful, we adore You, "Gloria!" (Chorus)
Offering
Ike Ndolo, 2013 A.D.
My hands shake with guilt and shame, still You love me, love me.
Your eyes are bright and shine so full of mercy, mercy.
Jesus, Bread of Life, Bread for all.
This is my offering, this my everything,
The Son of God who bled and died and rose again for me.
Your flesh You gave for all so we could see You, see You.
Your blood poured for all so we could know You, know You. (Chorus)
Joy to the World
Isaac Watts, 1719 A.D.
Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
My hands shake with guilt and shame, still You love me, love me.
Your eyes are bright and shine so full of mercy, mercy.
Jesus, Bread of Life, Bread for all.
This is my offering, this my everything,
The Son of God who bled and died and rose again for me.
Your flesh You gave for all so we could see You, see You.
Your blood poured for all so we could know You, know You. (Chorus)
Joy to the World
Isaac Watts, 1719 A.D.
Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And heaven and nature sing ... (x2)
And heaven and heaven and nature sing!
Joy to the world, the Savior reigns!
And heaven and heaven and nature sing!
Joy to the world, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy ... (x2)
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy!
No more let sins and sorrows grow,
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy ... (x2)
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy!
No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found ... (x2)
Far as, far as the curse is found!
He rules the world with truth and grace,
Far as, far as the curse is found!
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love ... (x2)
And wonders, wonders of His love!
And wonders, wonders of His love!
Benediction based on 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
To connect with us, please contact info@emmauscitychurch.com
More helpful links for Advent
+ Advent: Immanuel, God with Us, Has Always Been His Plan for Us
+ Advent 2020 Is Near & Needed | The Coming Day of the Lord Before, Now, and Again
+ The Magnificat: The Bold & Courageous First Advent Hymn
+ Advent 2020 Is Near & Needed | Sunday Compline (i.e. Bring to Completion) Services to Remember the Light in the Darkness
Christ is all,
Rev. Mike "Sully" Sullivan
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