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George E
Big Hamster
Joined: 29 Jul 2007
Posts: 92
Location: Pittsburgh
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 Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 7:53 am Post subject: |
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| markm2553 wrote: | George, I would love to now more about your advent services, and what the meaning of each week is. Our new Church lights a candle each week for advent, we are planning a service Christmas day (evening service) and will light the final white candle then.
But the Church I can from did not really observe advent, I have no background. Was it Martin Luther that came up with the idea of lighting candles for advent?
Maybe you could point me to a good website, or...
Sorry to get off topic. :shock: |
I found this at Wikipedia, which seems to have lots of info about everything. It's is only about the Advent wreath and candles themselves.
"The first candle is often called the prophet's candle, and is meant to signify the hope of Jesus' arrival. The second is generally called the Bethlehem candle, reminding Christians that God appeared to them in a humble manner; Bethlehem was located in the territory of one of the least powerful tribes of Israel. The third candle is the shepherds' candle, representing the joy that more than half of Advent is over. The final candle is the angels' candle, symbolising their peace and the message of good news that they offer."
Here's a link to the article on Advent:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advent
The use of a liturgical calendar dates back to the earliest times of the Christian church. Both the catholic denominations (Roman, Anglican, and Lutheran) and most of the Protestant denominations follow that traditional calendar, as well as sharing the Revised Common Lectionary for Scripture readings.
Such traditions are adiaphora, but serve a good and useful purpose. By following the calendar, we observe all aspects of the Gospel and Christ's ministries without leaving any parts out. By following the Revised Common Lectionary, we ensure that the entire Gospel and most of the Old Testament and the rest of the New Testament are studied and observed.
Just yesterday, on Christ the King Sunday, I preached on Luke 23:33-43, viewed in perspective of Jeremiah 23:1-6 and Colossians 1:11-20. That presented me with the opportunity to speak about Christ's role as King of Kings, and about how modern society can be as wrongheaded about re-inventing the Messiah in terms of what we want a Messiah to be as the first century Jews were about their desire for a Messiah who would be what they wanted him to be.
To be honest, if it weren't for the discipline imposed by following the calendar and lectionary, I'd have probably taken the easy way out and picked an easier or more cheerful passage to preach about. |
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markm2553
Moderator
Joined: 03 Feb 2003
Posts: 1010
Location: Marengo, IN USA
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| Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2007 6:16 am Post subject: |
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Thanks George.
We light the first candle this Sunday, I'll let you know how the service goes. |
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markm2553
Moderator
Joined: 03 Feb 2003
Posts: 1010
Location: Marengo, IN USA
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| Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2007 8:17 am Post subject: |
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George,
Our first Service of Advent went very well. I spoke on the Hope Christ brings us, using the last part of Luke Chapter one. When Zacharias gives his speach after his mouth is opened.
Thanks for your help. |
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George E
Big Hamster
Joined: 29 Jul 2007
Posts: 92
Location: Pittsburgh
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| Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2007 8:33 pm Post subject: |
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| markm2553 wrote: | George,
Our first Service of Advent went very well. I spoke on the Hope Christ brings us, using the last part of Luke Chapter one. When Zacharias gives his speach after his mouth is opened.
Thanks for your help. |
I'm working on my sermon for Advent 2. I have the choice of using Isaiah 11:1-10, Romans 15:4-13, or Matthew 3:1-12. I'll probably use the Gospel lesson, emphasizing that Baptism is God's gift of Grace to us. Baptism is something we receive, not something we do.
The problem I'm facing is reconciling John's statement in verse 12 with the larger concept that whether one is wheat or chaff is not determined by one's behavior or actions while alive, but rather whether or not one has received God's Grace. It's easy to slip into preaching about following the letter of the law, yet in verse 7 John calls those who most closely obey the laws of God a "brood of vipers".
When one understands the whole picture, it all makes sense. We're saved because we're members of the Christian Church, yet the Pharisees and Sadducees weren't saved because they were members of the family of descendants of Abraham. I have to make clear that the difference is that the Christian Church is the Body of Christ. By Him accepting us into His church, we receive His gift of redemption by Grace alone.
In other words, we don't get to heaven because we're good, we get into heaven because God is good. |
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PunkStar
Moderator
Joined: 27 Sep 2003
Posts: 1183
Location: Wodonga, Australia
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| Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2007 9:12 pm Post subject: |
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| George E wrote: | | In other words, we don't get to heaven because we're good, we get into heaven because God is good. |
Well said, sounds like you've got a good sermon going on there. In a world where things and expectations are getting so complex, it's important to remember the simple facts of our salvation. |
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