Advent: We Wait in Hope

Advent begins on Sunday, December 3. The coming birth of Jesus will be announced.  In the advent sermon series we will talk about what it means to wait, watch, and prepare in hope for the Christ’s coming. Then we will celebrate the Messiah’s arrival with praise Christmas Eve.  
           
We will explore each of these themes of waiting, watching, and preparing, as they relate to the first coming of the messiah and what it means to hope for him to come again.
 
For me this is a strange question because Jesus has come. We know him through the scriptures. We know how he lived, what he taught, and what he wanted for us. So what does it mean to wait, watch and hope for Jesus to come AGAIN?
 
Are you watching for signs about Jesus coming back? We have all heard about the rumors of war, earthquakes and floods this year. But what about the other signs of peace, hope, love and joy? Are you watching for those? More importantly where are seeing Jesus now in those signs? Do you see peace, hope, love and joy or signs of his pending arrival?  Where? 
 
Finally, are you preparing your heart for his return? I couldn’t be more ready for him to come back, because to me it means there will be no more tears, no more wars, no more hunger or racism, or hate, only true love. Are you preparing for that kind of return? What are you doing to get your life ready to be full of abundant blessings so that you can be a blessing to everyone?  
 
Waiting, watching and preparing for Jesus—those are the themes we will explore this advent. We will end with praise because we already know what it is like to have Jesus enter our lives. I pray you may enjoy the memories of Christmases that have passed and live fully into the one to come.   
 
                                                      Rev. Trey Hegar