Quiet Contemplation
I don’t know if you’ve engaged in Advent in the past, maybe you have, maybe not. This year my hope is that you will journey with us, in our Advent practice as we align with the historic church Calendar, over the next three weeks. Edging closer to Christmas, we have an expectant hope and comfort that fills our hearts as we make room for our Messiah, Jesus Christ.
From Isaiah to Malachi, and even in Luke’s Gospel, there is a consistent theme of waiting in lament, in preparation, in anticipation, for God to act. The Hebrew prophets, each in their own way, composed their prophetic poems around this recurring theme: The Lord is coming, God is about to act, but for now…we wait, we hope.
"..See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight - indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. [1] … the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming … the words of the prophet Isaiah, The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight and the rough ways made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God..'" [2]
Waiting is essential. For it’s in the waiting that our soul grows still and intentionally thoughtful. In this space we cultivate a capacity for awareness - we discern what God is doing and when He's about to act. It’s here we discover comfort, and hope grows. So let me say this to you quite confidently: God is about to reveal himself both in your life and in our world. Do you want to discern the actions of God? Learn to first wait in quiet contemplation.
Advent Prayer: Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Be formed and moved by the Advent journey —Shalom...#pkes
#MinistryinMotion #MetroLifeChurch
Common Advent themes that maybe celebrated: Peace, Hope, Joy and Love or Hope, Love, Joy, Peace or Victory, Comfort, Joy and Peace