Draw Near to Wonder
Pastor Joanie Read Luke 21:25-36
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. They 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.
Advent is a time of year when our redemption is drawing near. Christ’s birth is the dawn of our redemption. Whatever is going on in your life, help is on the way. Christ is on his way to earth.
We read scripture like the one above and we take it to be about a future prediction of Christ coming. But rarely does anyone take this seriously. It’s always…someday when Christ comes again. Let’s stop acting as if Christ’s return is always in the future. Christ is returning right now! This Christmas Christ will return! Just as he does every year, Christ will return to earth this Christmas!
And that is enough to fill us all with a sense of Wonder that God returns to us each year through the birth of his son Jesus. Christ returns every year! Can you see that? Can you understand that? Can you fathom that? Does Christ’s return this year fill you with a sense of awe and wonder?
Reflect: Do you enter the Christmas season with a sense of wonder? Or is there more hurry and rush, busy-ness and routine, anxiety and stress? How can you slow down, stop, and rest in a sense of the wonder of God’s gift this Christmas?
Reflect & Practice: What do you do each day of Advent to cultivate a sense of beauty and wonder in the birth of Jesus? This year, keep an Advent Wreath at home and light the candles each day. Or, get a Jesse Tree (just google it!) and add the ornaments to it each day as you cultivate wonder in your life this Christmas.
Practice: Have you picked up a Draw Near Devotional for Advent? Use this as a daily guide throughout Advent. There are reading and practices for every day.
This Week at Hood
Tuesday, December 4th, 6:30 pm – Circle 2 Holiday Party at Brass Lantern
Wednesday, December 5th, 1:30 pm – Prayer & Inspiration Small Group
Wednesday, December 5th, 6:00 pm – Choir Practice
Thursday, December 6th, 3:00 pm – Ladles of Love Meal Preparation
Thursday, December 6th, 4:00 pm – Ladles of Love Meal Delivery
Thursday, December 6th, 6:15 pm – Small Group
Saturday, December 8th, 4:00 pm – Dinner at Lashmit Lakehouse and Tour of Lights at Lu Mil Vineyard ($6 person)
Sunday, December 9th, 11:00 am – Worship: Draw Near to Truth, Guest Preacher: Dr. Kathy Lopez
Upcoming Events:
Tuesday, December 11th, 9:30 am – 2:00 pm – Volunteer Opportunity at DUMA Food Pantry
Wednesday, December 12th, 6:00 pm – Choir Practice
Thursday, December 13th, 6:00 pm – Choir Practice
Saturday, December 15th, 10:00 am – Choir Practice
Sunday, December 16th, 11:00 am – Worship: Choir Cantata; 12 noon – Church-wide Christmas Lunch
Monday, December 24th, 5:30 pm – Christmas Eve Candlelight Service