This Sunday's sermon is offered by The Most Rev. Theresa Margaret "Margo" Wilson, BOSA, Bishop of the Diocese of Colorado. She is also the rector of Good Shepherd of the Hills Cathedral in Pueblo.
In the Scripture reading for the second Sunday of Advent (Matthew 3:1-12), we find a picture of John the Baptist as a forerunner of Jesus Christ. He is compared by some to the Old Testament prophets because of the warnings he brought about God’s judgment and because he announced the coming of God’s “chosen one” – the Messiah.
John was born to an elderly couple named Elizabeth and Zechariah after the angel Gabriel told them they would have a son. This son would have special work to do in preparing the way for the Messiah. John is described as a prophet who preached in the desert and warned people that they should get ready for the new thing that God was going to do.
He told the people that they could not count on being accepted by God simply because they were descendents of Abraham. They had to realize how they were disobedient to God and get ready to accept the new powerful messenger that God was going to send to them.
John told everyone that the Messiah would be much more powerful than he was, and that his job was to prepare the people for the Messiah’s coming. This event in history has become known as the First Advent of Christ.
In a pure sense, the season of Advent which we celebrate is a time of preparation; preparation for the remembrance of Our Lord’s First Advent. There are many books available with meditations for each day of this season and many resources online.
In our time, we can look forward to the Second Advent of Our Lord and increase our awareness of this coming event during this season. We can expect to see signs of God’s love and grace and hear His message of salvation during this time.
During this season, let us listen to the promises of hope and take these promises seriously. Look for the signs of God’s grace and mercy all around you. Prepare to be filled with newness of life in our communion with Him. Prepare to be filled with hope, power, and grace abounding.
John was born to an elderly couple named Elizabeth and Zechariah after the angel Gabriel told them they would have a son. This son would have special work to do in preparing the way for the Messiah. John is described as a prophet who preached in the desert and warned people that they should get ready for the new thing that God was going to do.
He told the people that they could not count on being accepted by God simply because they were descendents of Abraham. They had to realize how they were disobedient to God and get ready to accept the new powerful messenger that God was going to send to them.
John told everyone that the Messiah would be much more powerful than he was, and that his job was to prepare the people for the Messiah’s coming. This event in history has become known as the First Advent of Christ.
In a pure sense, the season of Advent which we celebrate is a time of preparation; preparation for the remembrance of Our Lord’s First Advent. There are many books available with meditations for each day of this season and many resources online.
In our time, we can look forward to the Second Advent of Our Lord and increase our awareness of this coming event during this season. We can expect to see signs of God’s love and grace and hear His message of salvation during this time.
During this season, let us listen to the promises of hope and take these promises seriously. Look for the signs of God’s grace and mercy all around you. Prepare to be filled with newness of life in our communion with Him. Prepare to be filled with hope, power, and grace abounding.
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