Yes, you read the title correctly, Happy new year! It is a new church year.
The Lectionary year begins with the first Sunday of Advent, the Sunday of Hope. This year I was reminded, as I did some reading of Walter Brueggemann, of the both/and nature of Advent. We are “in between” the two Advents of Jesus; the first when he came to earth as a human being, and, second when he will come again. We are called to more than celebratory triumphalism in this season. We are also called to see how far we have come and how far we have yet to go. We are called to realize, with humility, that we can do much good in this world but ultimate redemption will only be accomplished by the returned Christ.
By the way, I was quite conscious of the similarity between the sermon title and the name of my blog . . . and it has made me happy ever since.
Knox Presbyterian Hope in the middle (to download, right click and select “Save Link As . . .”)
St. Mark’s Presbyterian Hope in the middle (to download, right click and select “Save Link As . . .”)
Blessings,
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