Date Posted: 2024-12-02 06:28:10 | Video Duration: 01:12:44
At Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church, the first Sunday of Advent marks a meaningful beginning in the church year, a time when the congregation embarks on a journey alongside Jesus. This season is not just a routine of lighting candles and singing hymns; it is a call to awaken to the presence of Christ in our lives, to be vigilant and alert to the movements of God among us.
The Call to Awareness
During this Advent season, the congregation is reminded of Jesus’ words from the Gospel of Matthew: “But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of Heaven nor the Son, but only the Father” (Matthew 24:36). This passage calls us to remain vigilant, to be ready for the unexpected coming of Christ. The pastor shared a personal anecdote about a surprise encounter with a thief, which served as a tangible reminder of the need to stay alert not just for danger, but for the presence of Christ breaking into our lives in unexpected ways.
Matthew’s Gospel draws parallels to the days of Noah, urging us not to become complacent in our daily routines. Just as people went about their lives unaware of the flood, we too can become absorbed in our routines, missing the divine movements around us. Advent challenges us to break free from this cycle and to stay awake to the new possibilities that Christ brings.
Transforming Darkness
As the season of Advent unfolds, it invites us to see the darkness not as a source of fear, but as a place where God’s light can shine most brightly. The prophet Isaiah’s vision of turning swords into plowshares (Isaiah 2:4) symbolizes the transformation that God’s presence brings—turning instruments of war into tools of peace. This transformation is echoed in the church’s mission to belong to God and to one another, embodying the peace and hope of Christ in the world.
The sermon emphasized the importance of staying alert in the dark, where Christ often enters our lives. Barbara Brown Taylor’s words were shared: “Jesus comes to us in the dark because we’re so well protected the rest of the time.” This Advent, we are invited to let Christ into the hidden, guarded places of our hearts, where he can offer us more than we could ever hold onto or protect.
A Practice of Gratitude
To support this journey, the congregation has been encouraged to engage in a practice of gratitude, capturing moments of God’s presence in their lives. This practice not only heightens awareness of God’s movements but also deepens the experience of Advent as a time of hope and anticipation.
Members shared stories of gratitude, from the joy of community gatherings to the laughter of friends and the new life celebrated in the birth of children. These are glimpses of God’s light breaking into the darkness, reminders that Christ is already at work among us.
A Call to Action
As we continue in this season of Advent, the church calls on its members to remain awake and aware, to pay attention, be astonished, and share the stories of God’s presence in their lives. This call extends to acts of service and community engagement, embodying the peace and hope that Christ brings.
The sermon concluded with a reminder that Advent is not just about preparing for Christmas but recognizing that Christ is already here, inviting us into a deeper relationship with God and one another. As we journey through this season, may we find the grace to be vigilant, the courage to embrace the darkness, and the joy to celebrate the light of Christ in our midst.
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