Lift Up Your Heads!

SCRIPTURE


First Sunday of Advent

Luke 21:25-36 (NRSV)
Watch for the coming of the Son of Man

"There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in a cloud' with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."

Then he told them a parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

"Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man."

I am enjoying my family on this Thanksgiving Sunday. Today’s Sunday message comes to us in the form of a short devotional. Peace be with you!



DEVOTION

Ah! Today is the first Sunday in the Christian liturgical season called “Advent.” Advent is the beginning of the Church year and it begins four Sundays prior to Christmas and ends on Christmas Eve. It is a season of waiting, hoping, expecting, and repenting as Christians remember the first coming of Jesus on Christmas morn in a manger and look forward to the second coming of Jesus from the clouds and in great glory!

What strikes me about today’s gospel reading is the difference between the thoughts, feelings, and actions of non-Christians vs. Christians when the Son of God appears!

Prophesy declares that those who do not have a relationship with Jesus will experience distress, confusion, fear, foreboding, dissipation, drunkenness, and worry! By contrast, Christians are called to simply be alert and prayerful as we lift up eyes to receive our Savior and prepare our hearts to stand before the Son of Man.

Isn’t this a striking contrast my friends?

As Christians we are to be filled with the love, joy and peace of Jesus! Since we know that God’s Love sent Jesus into the world one Christmas morning; we are at peace! Since we are sure that Jesus fed the hungry, healed the sick, raised the dead and died on the cross to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life; we live with a blessed assurance that trouble don’t last always.

When Jesus ascended into heaven, a couple of angels told his disciples, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."

Hallelujah!

I am so excited about sharing this Advent Season with you!

Let us pray: “Come, Lord Jesus, Come!”




THE INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/03/come-to-jesus.html