Advent Season:
…..is a very special time of the year that sometimes gets lost in the bright lights of the Christmas season it precedes. It is a four week period before Christmas that celebrates the coming of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, in the past, present and future. It is a time of prayers, reflections, fasting, repentance, anticipation, hope and joy for both the celebration of the Nativity of Christ at Christmas and the return of Christ at the Second Coming.
Sharing District Superintendent Sam Powers’ Reflections on the Lectionary readings –
First Sunday – Gifted – 1 Corinthians 1:3-9
We are already gifted – not lacking in any spiritual gift as we wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, let us look with the spiritual eyes to see the gifts in those we cross paths with during this Advent season.
Second Sunday – Patience – 2 Peter 3:8-15a.
Our Creator is all about saving every last one of us. Reminding us of Wesley’s prevenient grace that sees all people as children of God whether they acknowledge it or not. During this Advent, let us be patient knowing you are still working on them just as you are working on us.
Third Sunday – Gentleness – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
Good advice yet there are times when it is difficult to rejoice always! And we should be careful and not be insensitive to people who are struggling. Let us allow the Holy Spirit to lead us in being gentle to those who cross our paths. May we allow the Holy Spirit to lead, move and be most helpful in every situation.
Fourth Sunday – Obedience – Romans 16:25-27
Obedience means marching right on whether we feel like it or not. Many times we go against our feelings. Faith is one thing, feeling is another. Our obedience of faith is a call to love. God’s promise is for everyone – we find it easy to celebrate Creator’s grace when it is directed our way and sometimes we find it tiresome when Creator turns to those whom we feel do not deserve it. May our prayer be, “Help us to be obedient to your gospel call!”
I pray these four reflections help us all and we are drawn closer to our Creator and yearning to be bold and be of good courage to share the awesome love of our Creator to all who cross our path.
