Merry Christmas!
Greetings for the Holy Season! The focus for the last
Sunday in Advent is on Mary, the Mother of our Lord.
Chosen by God, she represents ultimate servanthood and
faith - at a time which must have been quite stressful since
she was engaged to Joseph. This Sunday Isaiah
prophesies that a young woman will bear a son and name
him Emmanuel. The gospel is Matthew’s account of the
annunciation and birth of the one named Emmanuel,
God-with-us.
During these final days of Advent we pray, “O come, O
come, Emmanuel,” a beloved hymn based on the O
Antiphons, ancient prayers appointed for the seven days
preceding Christmas. On this final Sunday of Advent we
prepare to celebrate the birth of the one born to save us
from the power of sin and death.
I hope you will be able to be with us on Christmas Eve!
Our worship here in Bedford will be at 5:30pm and, if you
prefer a later worship, we will gather at 7:30 in Lynchburg.
May you all have a blessed Christmas!
The theme of the Second Sunday in Advent is Peace.
Also this Sunday we will celebrate that Peace that was
proclaimed by John the Baptist who foretold Jesus' life and
ministry. At the heart of our Advent preparation stands
John the Baptist, who calls us to repent and make a new
beginning. As the darkness increases, we turn toward the
approaching light of Christ. For Christians he is the root of
Jesse, (who was the Father of King David) the righteous
judge who welcomes all, especially the poor and meek of
the earth. We wait with hope for that day when the wolf will
dwell with the lamb, and there will be no more hurt or
destruction. From the Lord’s table we are sent in the spirit
of John the Baptist to proclaim that in Christ the kingdom
of God has come near.
May the Prince of Peace be with you all.