Third Sunday of Advent
Dear All
Today we gathered to celebrate 3rd Sunday in Advent. We welcomed James to play for us.
Many thanks go to all who supported and helped with the Christmas Tree Festival – especially Jackie who sat on the committee! The Festival was a great success, it gave much pleasure and raised nearly £4000 for charity.
Tuesday 10am Prayer Group in the Garden Room.
Thursday 10am Said Eucharist followed by coffee in Friendship House
Sunday 18th December Milngavie Choir Christmas Concert – All Saints Bearsden 3pm – tickets available on the door. Do come!!
Christmas Eve 4pm Joint Carol Service with All Saints at All Saints – please let me know if you would like to sing in choir with All Saints singers
Readings for next Sunday – 4th Sunday in Advent – Isaiah 7:10-16 Romans 1:1-7 Matthew 1:18-25
Today’s Readings – Isaiah 35:1-10 James 5:7-10 Matthew 11:2-11
There was once a priest who was fed up waiting for the plumber to come. Eventually he sent him a note that simply said Matthew 11:3. When the plumber looked it up, he found the verse “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to look for another?” So, the plumber sent a note back, simply saying Isaiah 50:2b “why did no one answer when I called”?
John the Baptist was undoubtedly a great man of God – one of the greatest prophets that the Jews had seen. In fact, the gospel writers had to stress that although John the Baptist was great, Jesus was greater, because there were many groups who followed John the Baptist as their leader even after the death and resurrection of Jesus.
John the Baptist had huge numbers of disciples, his teaching was transformative, he encouraged people to repent, to see and do things differently and to prepare for the coming of the messiah.
Today on this 3rd Sunday of Advent we continue our theme of preparation. Being prepared and preparation is a central theme in advent. We are encouraged as part of our advent devotions to read the bible carefully often under the guidance of theologians in a set text.
We are also encouraged to take time out ……to pray and reflect, listen to Gods still calm voice.
In the bible there are many references to being prepared. In Exodus God says to Moses, “Behold, I am going to send an angel before you to guard you along the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared.” Ex 23 20
The prophet Isaiah says in Isaiah 40:3 “A voice cries out – In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord”
In the NT in John’s gospel Jesus said to Judas when Mary wipes his feet with her tears and expensive oil, “Let her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial.” Jn 12
In chapter 14 he says, “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you”.
Paul in his letters says to Timothy “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season…” 2 Tim 4: 2
In Hebrews we are reminded of Noah 11:7 “By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household,”
And to the Corinthians Paul says those great words of assurance and faith. “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him” 1 Corinthians 2: 9
In many ways the entire OT is a preparation for the NT. It’s an account of God developing his relationship with his people and then through the prophets preparing them for the coming of his son Jesus Christ.
In the NT much of Jesus teaching is concerned with preparing his apostles for the post resurrection ministries, they would undertake.
Paul in his epistles writes to prepare his communities for new lives in the light of the resurrection of Christ and to prepare them for the second coming.
At home many of us are preparing for Christmas. In our case that means first a good tidy up and throwing out session.
Advent can be a time to declutter spiritually and emotionally, to simplify our minds and make room for God to grow in us. We may ask ourselves – what exactly do I want to clear out? leave behind? be rid of?
John the Baptist as he calls us to repent – he challenges us to consider what might we change or do differently in our lives after today – how we can travel more lightly.
This morning we lit the 3rd Advent candle reminding us of John the Baptist and his significant role in preparing the people for the coming of Christ.
The third Sunday in Advent is also known as Gaudete Sunday, Gaudete coming from the Latin word meaning to rejoice. So let us today rejoice as we prepare our hearts and souls for the forthcoming celebration of the great event – the celebration of the birth of Christ.
The Emmanuel – God with us.
Amen