Open Hearts. Open Minds. Open Doors.
Luke 4:14-21; Acts 8:26-39
Jesus is revealed throughout all of the scriptures. The Good News of God’s saving grace is right here in the Holy Bible! Have you understood who Jesus is? Do you want to know more? It’s all here! Take time to read from the scriptures! Study them! Seek guidance and you will see and understand fully the revelation of our Lord, Jesus!
Acts 13:20b-26; Luke 3:15-16, 21-22; John 1:29-34
Baptism tells us we are children of God. At our baptism the Holy Spirit begins the work of prevenient Grace that calls us and leads us to know God and His love that was sent in Jesus Christ. It is through the work of Justifying grace that we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and learn to live with and for Him. Our baptism is just the beginning of knowing more fully our purpose. As we live in obedience to God’s Will, our hearts and minds become focused solely on Jesus and all He taught by His words and example. Grace is revealed in our lives through obedience to the Will of God. Jesus was revealed to himself, John and others who were around him at his baptism. The revelation that we are God’s children at our baptism leads us to know who Jesus is.
Micah 5:2-5a; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:22-38
How can we experience an Epiphany? If we want to experience an Epiphany we have to be tuned in and ready for it. Like Simeon and Anna, we have to be open to the Spirit who will reveal the presence of Jesus to us.
At Christmas we come not just to celebrate the birth of Jesus but to meet our Savior. Our Savior came in the form of a little baby born in a manger but never the less – He was our Savior from the very beginning. Did you come prepared tonight? Leave your sins behind you, come to the manger and know that through the baby born this night you are forgiven. Come this night to this time of Holy Communion and feel the presence of Jesus Christ.
The Lord never leaves us but sometimes, when everything is going well we begin to think we are self-reliant and we ignore or simply forget our need for God. Then something happens…We blame God for turning away from us and leaving us to face it alone. We hit rock bottom and we cry out to the Lord. Suddenly we find the Lord is there and has pulled us up from the pit and our mourning is turned to dancing. We once again lift praises and give thanks to the Lord our God. We need to remember as the Psalmist realizes, God is there through it all. Darkness lasts only for the night and morning brings the light. God will turn our mourning into dancing.
“As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.” Luke 1:44 Leapt for joy! When was the last time you or I leapt for joy? Now I’ve been known to do a happy dance – I guess that is close to a leap. This Advent I hope you find it in the presence of Jesus. When you do, when you really begin to be overcome with that joy…don’t hold back…leap for joy…or at least dance, smile, clap and let your inner child explode with excitement of the Savior’s birth!!