Hello, Advent

Listening to: 'Come Thou Long Expected Jesus' by Red Mountain Church

On Sunday morning, I had the pleasure of leading the service at church, and the preacher was John McGinley who will be coming to Holy Trinity in January to be our new vicar. It was great to meet John and work with him on the service, as well as spending some time with him and his family afterwards.

It was the first Sunday of Advent, the period in the Church's calendar where we're in a good position to look backwards to Jesus' first coming, and to look forward to his second coming. Meeting on a Sunday morning is all about these things- and Advent Sunday especially. We're marking and celebrating the Sunday morning that Jesus rose from the dead. Having died for our sin, he was raised to life in a new resurrection body. Out of the darkness of death and the judgment of God, the light of his resurrection and vindication by the Spirit is like the arrival of the morning. That morning was like a glorious eighth day of the week, beginning a whole new cycle of reality, guaranteeing our own new resurrection on the great Resurrection Morning still to come. On the day of Jesus' return, we will be raised to indestructible life with him. Our faith will be turned to sight, the creation will be restored and perfected, and we will see the Lord face to face.

At church, I lit a candle for the first Sunday of Advent to remind of us this through the service.

I reminded the congregation that this gospel is the hope we want to remind ourselves of on Sunday mornings, and especially on Advent Sunday morning. We gather to preach the glorious gospel to ourselves and each other. We said together the words from the Book of Common Prayer especially for Advent Sunday morning, which are rich with some great theology.

Lord, open our lips
and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Reveal among us the light of your presence
that we may behold your power and glory.

Blessed are you, Sovereign God of all, to you be praise and glory for ever.
In your tender compassion the dawn from on high is breaking upon us to dispel the lingering shadows of night. As we look for your coming among us this day, open our eyes to behold your presence and strengthen our hands to do your will, that the world may rejoice and give you praise.
Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.

And for some great fresh, yet also beautifully traditional arrangements of Advent Hymns, you must, must, must buy this record, 'Silent Night' by Red Mountain Church.