>> GOOD MORNING, I'M HAVING FLASHBACKS FROM MY CHILDHOOD.

I USED TO GET IN TROUBLE SITTING IN THE FRONT ROW, I GLANCED DOWN AND THERE ARE SEVERAL SITTING IN THE FRONT ROW.

WE'RE GLAD TO HAVE YOU, ESPECIALLY OUR VISITORS.

IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE RED BOOK AT THE END OF THE PEW MAKE SURE YOU TAKE IT AND SIGN IT AND PASS IT ALONG SO WE CAN SEE WHO IS ABLE TO JOIN US TODAY.

AFTER CHURCH THERE WILL BE PUNCH OUT IN THE LOBBY THERE, I GUESS THAT'S NOT THE RIGHT TERM, WE HOPE YOU WILL STICK AROUND AND LET US HAVE A CHANCE TO GREET YOU.

WE HAVE SEVERAL THINGS TO COVER, I'M SURE I WILL MISS SOMETHING, HOLD YOUR HAND UP.

A BIG THANK YOU TO THOSE FOLKS WHO PARTICIPATED AND WERE ABLE TO ATTEND LAST WEEK'S ADVENT WORKSHOP, THAT WAS A BLAST, I KNOW THE KIDS WALKED AWAY WITH MANY THINGS THEY WERE PROUD OF.

I ALSO WANT TO THANK CWF LADIES FOR THE PARTY THIS MORNING, THOSE GUYS LOOK FOR THAT ABOUT HALLOWEEN, SO YOU GUYS DIDN'T DISAPPOINT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

TONIGHT IS THE MUCH ATTENDSX EVENT AT FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH, IF YOU ARE ONLY GOING TO ATTEND ONE EVENT YOU HAVE TO GO TO THAT ONE.

YOU WANT TO COME TO THAT, IT'S THE MORAVIAN LOVE FEAST AND ALTHOUGH IT STARTS AT 6:00, THE TROMBONE CHOIR IS AT 5:30, YOU CERTAINLY WANT TO COME IN, THE SEATS WILL FILL UP, COME EARLY AND MAKE SURE YOU GET A GOOD SPOT, IT'S BEAUTIFUL.

PARKING I'VE HEARD MAY BE A LITTLE BIT OF AN ISSUE, SO WHAT I WOULD ASK OF FOLKS, THE CONGREGATION, TRY TO PARK AWAY, I UNDERSTAND BROWN ACADEMY'S LOTS WILL BE OPEN SO THAT WE MAKE OUR SPOTS OPEN FOR THOSE WHO ARE VISITING OR THOSE WHO ARE UNABLE TO WALK A GREAT DISTANCE.

NURSERY WILL BE PROVIDED.

NEXT SUNDAY IS OUR CHOIR'S SPECIAL SERVICE, I KNOW YOU ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT.

NEXT WEDNESDAY, A WEEK FROM, IS THE CHILDREN'S PROGRAM, IT IS ALSO GOING TO BE THE ONLY OFFERING WE TAKE UP THIS YEAR FOR THE KITCHEN STAFF.

SO, NEXT WEDNESDAY'S DINNER, IF YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO ATTEND, WISH TO CONTRIBUTE, PLEASE SEND IT TO THE OFFICE, CHUCK OR SOMEONE TO MAKE SURE WE GET THAT.

ALL RIGHT.

THERE WILL BE THE CWF MEETING MONDAY AT 10:30, I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A COVERED "DUSH," SO BE SURE TO BRING YOUR COVERED "DUSH."

BARBARA NORTHCUTT HAS A REMINDER FOR BROWN TEACHER APPRECIATION, SHE IS LOOKING FOR ITEMS THERE.

AND A SPECIAL CALL OUT TO GAIL RICH'S PROGRAM, IT'S A GREAT SUGGESTION IN THE BULLETIN, GO AHEAD WHILE YOU'RE OUT THERE PURCHASING TO THINK OF BROWN ACADEMY.

THAT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY AND YOU WILL BE DOING IT ANYWAY, SO BE SURE AND CHECK THAT.

AND WITH THAT, I THINK WE WILL CONCLUDE ANNOUNCEMENTS UNLESS I HAVE MISSED ANY.

THIS IS THE DAY THAT THE LORD HAS MADE, LET US REJOICE AND BE GLAD.

>> PLEASE JOIN ME IN THE RESPONSIVE CALL TO WORSHIP.

LET US LOOK UP THE NAME OF OUR GOD.

>> LET US PRAISE THE FAITHFULNESS OF THE LORD.

>> FOR JUST AS THE LORD'S GREATNESS FILLS THE HEAVENS, THE LORD'S LOVE EMBRACES THE EARTH.

>> PRESERVING OUR LIFE IN THE MIDST OF TROUBLE, LET US GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD OUR GOD .

>> LET US STAND AND WORSHIP IN SONG.

>> YOU MAY BE SEATED.

NOW WE COME TO OUR LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES OF ADVENT.

WE HAVE HEARD THE PROMISE, GOD'S CHOSEN ONE WILL SOON BE AMONG US, WE MUST MAKE READY.

PREPARE THE WAY OF THE LORD, MAKE HIS PATHS STRAIGHT.

THE WILDERNESS PLACES OF OUR LIVES MAY THREATEN TO OVERWHELM US, WE EASILY LOSE OUR WAY, BUT A SECOND CANDLE ADDS ITS LIGHT.

THE CANDLE OF WISDOM AND PREPARATION JOINS THE CANDLE OF WATCHFUL WAITING.

LET US PRAY.

SEND YOUR SPIRIT TO THE WILD CORNERS OF OUR HEARTS, GRANT US WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING THAT WE WILL PREPARE WELL FOR THE COMING OF YOUR PROMISED COUNSELOR.

AMEN.

IF ALL THE CHILDREN WILL COME FORWARD WITH WIGGLE TIME, I HAVE WIGGLE TIME THIS MORNING.

HOW IS EVERYBODY TODAY?

ARE YOU GETTING READY FOR CHRISTMAS?

YES?

YOU WENT TO ALABAMA?

WAS THAT A GOOD THING?

OKAY.

>> IT WAS BORING AND SILLY.

>> ALABAMA CAN BE THAT WAY.

I REMEMBER EVERY CHRISTMAS WE WOULD HAVE GUESTS THAT WOULD COME OVER FOR CHRISTMAS EVE AND OTHER KINDS OF PARTIES BEFORE CHRISTMAS.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MY MOTHER WOULD MAKE ME DO IS CLEAN THE HOUSE TO HELP GET EVERYTHING READY, VACUUM, DUST, CLEAN WINDOWS, ALL THAT KIND OF STUFF JUST TO GET READY FOR SOME FAMILY OR SOME NEIGHBORS, YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES EVEN STRANGERS I DIDN'T KNOW.

INVARIABLY THERE WOULD BE SOME STUFF I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH, SHE WANTED ME TO PUT AWAY MY TOYS OR CLOTHES, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE EVER HAD TO DO THIS, BUT DID YOU EVER JUST STUFF SOME THINGS LIKE UNDER YOUR BED OR IN THE CLOSET?

YEAH, YOU KNOW, LIKE GARBAGE BAGS, JUST HOPEFULLY NOBODY WOULD OPEN THE DOOR, RIGHT?

YEAH.

WELL, ONE DAY I HID ALL THIS STUFF THAT I WAS SUPPOSED TO PUT IN THIS RIGHT PLACE, I PUT IN A BIG PLASTIC BAG AND PUT IT IN THE CLOSET AND I SHOULD HAVE PUT IT ALL AWAY, RIGHT?

I PUT IT IN THE HALLWAY CLOSET AND WHEN MY DAD WENT TO OPEN THE CLOSET TO HANG UP COATS, EVERYTHING FELL OUT.

TOYS, CLOTHES, GARBAGE.

SO I REMEMBER DOING ALL THAT WORK JUST FOR THOSE PEOPLE, CAN YOU IMAGINE?

WHAT IF WE HAD SOMEBODY LIKE REALLY FAMOUS LIKE A KING OR A QUEEN, YOU KNOW, SOMEONE REALLY FAMOUS COME TO OUR HOME, IMAGINE THE CLEANING THAT YOUR PARENTS WOULD MAKE YOU DO, KIND OF STUFF YOU WOULD HAVE TO DO, RIGHT?

YOU WOULDN'T BE TOO UPSET OR DO ALL THAT CLEANING.

THAT IS THE SAME STORY AT MY HOUSE, BUT THAT'S ‑‑ RENTING A CASTLE INSTEAD OF CLEANING YOUR OWN HOUSE, MIGHT BE A GOOD IDEA NEXT CHRISTMAS.

I WAS THINKING HOW JESUS IS COMING TO VISIT US AND HIS BIRTH ON DECEMBER 25TH AND HOW WE GET READY AND WHAT DO WE CLEAN FOR HIM?

WHAT WOULD YOU THINK WE WOULD CLEAN UP?

CLEAN UP OUR ROOMS?

NO.

SOMETHING CLOSER.

WHAT DO YOU CLEAN UP?

>> YOUR HEART.

>> YOUR HEART, THAT'S RIGHT.

YOU KIND OF GET RID OF ALL THAT BAD STUFF AND NEGATIVE STUFF AND CLEAN IT ALL OUT SO YOU CAN HAVE ALL THE BAD THINGS YOU MIGHT HAVE DONE AND SAID, YOU JUST APOLOGIZE, SAY YOU'RE SORRY FOR THAT AND YOU CAN HAVE A CLEAN HEART SO WHEN JESUS COMES YOU ARE TOTALLY READY TO RECEIVE HIM FOR CHRISTMAS, YOU ARE READY FOR BABY JESUS TO COME INTO YOUR LIFE THIS CHRISTMAS.

ALONG WITH ALL THE PRESENTS AND THINGS THAT COME WITH JESUS.

I WANT YOU TO THINK ABOUT THAT THIS NEXT COUPLE WEEKS, THINK ABOUT THE THING YOU HAVE TO CLEAN OUT OF YOUR HEART, WHATEVER THAT MIGHT BE.

ALL RIGHT, LET'S PRAY.

WILL YOU GUYS PRAY WITH ME?

DEAR JESUS ‑‑ COME ON, PRAY WITH ME,

DEAR JESUS, THANK YOU FOR COMING INTO THE WORLD, FOR LOVING US NO MATTER WHAT.

AMEN.

ALL RIGHT.

WATCH THE CANDLES BEHIND YOU.

GOOD MORNING.

ARE THERE ANY JOYS, GARY?

WE KIND OF HAD THAT PLANNED.

>> ONE OF MY CHOIR MEMBERS HAS DECIDED TO MOVE INTO EMERITUS STATUS, SO WOULD YOU PLEASE HELP ME THANK HIM FOR ALL OF HIS YEARS OF STATUS, THIS IS A BIG BLOW TO OUR CHOIR, BUT IT'S A JOY TO HIS WIFE BECAUSE HE'S GOING TO GET A CHANCE TO SIT WITH HER EVERY SUNDAY, HELP ME CONGRATULATIONS C. B. DODDS.

[APPLAUSE]

>> WE ARE PROUD TO HAVE MY SON PAUL AND HIS WIFE KATHY AND MY GRANDDAUGHTER AND THEIR DAUGHTER DR. BETSY CLOSE.

[APPLAUSE]

>> WELCOME.

OTHER JOYS?

IN THE BACK.

>> I CAN PROBABLY TALK LOUD ENOUGH EVERYBODY CAN HEAR ME.

I HAVE A JOY OF THE RAIN, I HOPE YOU GOT ENOUGH OF IT TO SEND US SOME DOWN IN ATLANTA SO WE CAN HAVE SOME DRINKING WATER.

>> MY JOY IS ALL THE VOLUNTEERS AND PARTICIPANTS IN THE ADVENT WORKSHOP WE WANT TO THANK VERY MUCH.

>> I HAVE A JOY, SHE IS STILL IN THE HOSPITAL, SHE HAD SURGERY, SHE MIGHT GET TO COME HOME TUESDAY.

IT WAS SUCCESSFUL IN REMOVING THE TUMOR AND SAID THEY DID NOT FIND ANY CANCER RIGHT NOW.

>> OTHER JOYS?

CONCERNS, PEOPLE WE SHOULD BE PRAYING FOR?

ANYONE?

RUTH?

I THINK SHE'S IN A WHEELCHAIR .

>> OTHERS?

KEEP MONTGOMERY IN YOUR PRAYERS, HE'S HAVING HIS HERNIA SURGERY WEDNESDAY MORNING.

ANY OTHERS?

LET'S BOW OUR HEAD FOR SILENT REFLECTION AS WE GO TO THE LORD IN PRAYER.

LET US PRAY.

GRACIOUS GOD, WE COME THIS SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT SEEKING HOPE, WE COME SEEKING SALVATION.

WE COME BECAUSE WE KNOW WE CAN.

FOR YOU WILL RECEIVE US AS WE ARE.

WE ASK YOU CHANGE US ACCORDING TO YOUR WILL.

AND THE NEEDS OF THIS WORLD.

WE GIVE YOU THANKS FOR THE BOUNTY WE RECEIVE EACH DAY.

THE FOOD ON OUR TABLES AND THE CLOTHES ON OUR BACKS, BUT ALSO THE BOUNTY OF FAMILY, FRIENDSHIPS.

THIS IS THE PERFECT SEASON TO WORK ON THOSE RELATIONSHIPS, START NEW ONES, GIVE US THE COURAGE TO REACH OUT TO THOSE WHO MIGHT BE OUTSIDE OUR CIRCLE, WHETHER FAMILY, FRIEND OR STRANGER FOR WHATEVER REASON, TO BRING THEM BACK IN AND REMIND THEM THAT THEY ARE LOVED AND NOT FORGOTTEN.

WE PARTICULARLY PRAY FOR THOSE WHO ARE GOING THROUGH A DIFFICULT TIME DURING THIS SEASON, HELP US TO BE INSTRUMENTS OF YOUR COMFORT, NOT THAT WE NEED TO SAY MUCH, BUT HELP US TO BE PRESENT IN THEIR LIVES.

WE ARE REMINDED THAT THERE ARE HURTING PEOPLE ALL OVER THIS WORLD, HELP US REACH OUT TO THOSE PERSONS THROUGH OUR GENEROCITY.

ALWAYS REMEMBERING YOUR GENEROCITY.

AS WE CONTINUE TO WORSHIP THIS SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT, KEEP THE PICTURE OF REPENTANCE AND PEACE IN FRONT OF US SO THAT WE MIGHT TRULY CHANGE OUR WORLD.

AND WE ARE REMINDED OF OUR CALLING IN THE PRAYER JESUS TAUGHT HIS DISCIPLES SO BOLDLY TOGETHER WE SAY:  OUR FATHER, WHO ART IN HEAVEN, HALLOWED BE THY NAME, THY KINGDOM COME, THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.

GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD AND FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US, AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION, BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL, FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM, THE POWER AND THE GLORY FOREVER.

AMEN.

NOW IS OUR TIME OF OFFERING, AS ALWAYS WE REFLECT ON GOD'S GENEROCITY, SO LET US NOW GIVE GENEROUSLY.

>> THIS MORNING'S SCRIPTURE IS FROM MATTHEW 3:1‑12.

YOU MAY READ ALONG IN THE PEW BIBLE ON PAGE 836.

I'M GOING TO READ FROM THE MESSAGE.

WHILE JESUS WAS LIVING IN THE GALILEA HILLS JOHN THE BAPTIST WAS TEACHING.

HIS MESSAGE WAS SIMPLE, LIKE HIS DESERT SURROUNDINGS.

CHANGE YOUR LIFE, GOD'S KINGDOM IS HERE.

JOHN AND HIS MESSENGERS WERE AUTHORIZED.

THUNDER IN THE DESERT, PREPARE FOR GOD'S ARRIVAL, MAKE THE ROAD SMOOTH AND STRAIGHT.

JOHN DRESSED IN A CAMEL HAIR HABIT TIED AT THE WAIST BY A LEATHER STRAP, HE FED ON LOCUST.

PEOPLE CAME TO HEAR AND SEE HIM IN ACTION.

THERE AT THE JORDAN RIVER THOSE WHO CAME TO CONFESS THEIR SINS WERE BAPTIZED.

WHEN JOHN REALIZED THAT A LOT OF PHARISEES WERE SHOWING UP FOR A BAPTISMS EXPERIENCE BECAUSE IT WAS A POPULAR THING TO DO, HE EXPLODED.

WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING SLITHERING DOWN HERE TO THE RIVER?

DO YOU THINK A LITTLE WATER ON YOUR SNAKE SKIN IS GOING TO MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE?

IT'S YOUR LIFE THAT MUST REFLECT CHANGE, NOT YOUR SKIN.

AND DON'T THINK YOU CAN FOOL ANYONE BY CLAIMING ABRAHAM OR SOLOMON.

DESCENDANTS OF ABRAHAM ARE A DIME A DOZEN.

I'M BAPTIZING YOU HERE IN THE RIVER TURNING YOUR OLD LIFE IN FOR A KINGDOM LIFE, REAL ACTION COMES NEXT.

THE MAIN CHARACTER IN THIS DRAMA COMPARED TO HIM ARE MERE STAGEHANDS.

WILL IT IGNITE THE FIRE WITHIN YOU, THE HOLY SPIRIT WITHIN YOU CHANGING YOU FROM THE INSIDE OUT?

HE IS GOING TO CLEAN HOUSE, MAKE A CLEAN SWEEP OF YOUR LIVES.

HE WILL PLACE EVERYTHING IN ITS PROPER PLACE BEFORE GOD, EVERYTHING FALSE HE WILL PUT OUT WITH THE TRASH.

THIS IS THE GOOD NEWS.

>> THANKS BE TO GOD.

>> LET US PRAY.

WE COME TO THESE WORDS, O GOD, SEEKING HEALING.

THESE SEEM TO BE ROUGH WORDS, DIFFICULT WORDS, YOU SEE US THROUGH THEM SO THAT WE MIGHT SEE WHAT YOU HAVE FOR US THIS DAY.

THAT WE MIGHT CLAIM YOUR MESSAGE OF GOOD NEWS.

THAT IS OUR PRAYER, IN CHRIST'S NAME, AMEN.

GROWING UP A ROMAN CATHOLIC ‑‑ I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY HERE WERE RAISED ROMAN CATHOLIC OR MIGHT STILL BE, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IRRITATED ME WAS CONFESSION.

WEEKLY, MONTHLY CONFESSION, THE ART OF COMPILING YOUR SINS AND MISDEEDS AND TAKING THEM TO A PRIEST IN A LITTLE CUBBYHOLE OR OUT IN THE FRONT OF THE CHURCH TO SHARE IN YOUR CONFESSION, OFFER REPENTANCE FOR THESE, I MEAN IT SEEMED LIKE SUCH A DOWNER TO GO AND HAVE THIS CONFESSION EVERY WEEK.

IT GOT SO TEDIOUS AND BORING THAT MY FRIENDS AND I WOULD GATHER TOGETHER AND SAY, "ALL RIGHT, WHICH SIN ARE YOU GOING TO OFFER THIS WEEK?"

JUST SO WE COULD MIX IT UP AND SPICE IT UP A LITTLE.

SO I GOT IN THERE ONE AFTERNOON AND I STARTED TELLING THE PRIEST HOW BAD I WAS TO MY SISTER, AND I DON'T HAVE A SISTER.

HE KNEW IT.

AND HE KNEW WHO I WAS.

EVEN THROUGH THAT LITTLE DARKENED PARTITION.

AND AS LATER I LEFT THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH AND BECAME A PROTESTANT ORDAINED IN THE MINISTRY I REMEMBER PREPARING WORSHIP AND SEEING ALL THESE PRAYERS OF CONFESSION.

PRAYERS OF WHAT WE HAVE DONE WRONG AND WHAT IS WRONG WITH US, AND TO ME THEY SEEMED TO BE AT THE BEGINNING OF MY MINISTRY A DOWNER AGAIN, WORSHIP SHOULD BE ABOUT JOY AND BEING LIFTED UP.

AND WE HAVE TO TELL GOD EVERY WEEK HOW BAD WE'VE BEEN.

DOESN'T GOD KNOW?

I KIND OF FELT THE SAME ABOUT JOHN THE BAPTIST.

I THOUGHT HE PUT A DAMPER ON THE CHRISTMAS SEASON, WE COME TO ADVENT AND LIGHT THESE BEAUTIFUL CANDLES AND HAVE THE SANCTUARY DECORATED, WE HAVE THE MORAVIAN STAR AND WREATH SO BEAUTIFUL AND WITH THE POINSETTIAS, SOME CHURCHES THEY HAVE THE MANGER, WITH LITTLE CLEAN JESUS, WITH HIS PARENTS DOTING LOOKING OVER AND THERE ARE THE ANIMALS ALL NICE AND CLEAN, NEVER MESSING UP THE STABLE, HAY IN THE RIGHT PLACE, IT'S BEAUTIFUL, ISN'T IT?

CHRISTMAS CARDS YOU GET WITH THOSE PICTURES, EVERYTHING SO NICE AND WONDERFUL AND THEN YOU GET JOHN THE BAPTIST.

THE CHURCH WANTS US TO TALK ABOUT JOHN THE BAPTIST AND HERE IS JOHN THE BAPTIST COMING IN AND YELLING ABOUT REPENTANCE AND CALLING PEOPLE VIPERS, IN OLDER TRANSLATIONS VIPERS.

HE HAS NO FASHION SENSE, HE'S WEARING THIS CRAZY OUTFIT AND EATING ALL THIS CRAZY STUFF.

WHICH NOW THEY WOULD DO ON REALITY SHOW ON THE FOOD NETWORK, IT WOULD BE GREAT.

JOHN THE BAPTIST, CRAZY MAN.

WHY TALK ABOUT HIM?

AT CHRISTMAS TIME.

I REMEMBER LATER IN COLLEGE SEEING A BUMPER STICKER, FRIEND AND I SAW THE BUMPER STICKER, WE MADE FUN OF THE BUMPER STICKER, IT SAID "ARE YOU SAVED?"

PEOPLE MIGHT ASK YOU IN YOUR LIFE ARE YOU SAVED.

WE WOULD SAY SAVED?

SAVED FROM WHAT?

FROM WHAT?

EVERY ADVENT I FIND MYSELF DRAWN TO THESE THREE THEMES, CONFESSION, REPENTANCE, JOHN THE BAPTIST IN THE MIDST OF THE SERENE CALM PICTURE OF JESUS IN THE STABLE WITH MARY AND JOSEPH AND THE IDEA WHAT IT MEANS TO BE SAVED.

ALL THREE ARE RELATED TO JESUS AND THE BUSINESS OF WHOLENESS AND HEALING.

THE SECOND GIFT I WANT TO SPEAK TO YOU OF ‑‑ LAST WEEK I SPOKE ABOUT PEACE ‑‑ THIS MORNING I'D LIKE TO SPEND A FEW MOMENTS ABOUT HEALING.

THE GIFT OF HEALING.

ARE YOU SAVED?

IF YOU BELIEVE YOU ARE, OR NEED TO BE, WHAT ARE YOU SAVED FROM?

FROM WHAT ARE YOU SAVED?

I MEAN, IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE WHOLE POINT OF THAT FIRST CHRISTMAS WAS ABOUT BEING SAVED.

WE TALK, WE SING ABOUT A BABY BEING BORN IN A STABLE AND ANGELS TELLING US IT IS THE SAVIOR.

TO YOU THIS DAY IN THE CITY OF DAVID A SAVIOR WHO IS CHRIST THE LORD.

THE ANGELS DIDN'T CALL JESUS A FRIEND, THE ANGELS DIDN'T CALL JESUS A TEACHER, THE ANGELS DIDN'T CALL JESUS A ROLE MODEL, BUT SAVIOR, THAT'S WHAT THEY CALLED HIM, SAVIOR.

TO YOU THIS DAY A SAVIOR IS BORN.

IT REALLY IS A RIDICULOUS PROMISE, ISN'T IT?

CAN YOU IMAGINE A MORE RIDICULOUS PROMISE ‑‑ THE SAVIOR IS BORN?

IT'S A PROMISE JUST THE SAME, BY SOMEONE WHO ALWAYS KEEPS PROMISES BUT NOT IN THE WAYS WE MIGHT IMAGINE OR WISH GOD TO KEEP PROMISES.

JOHN THE BAPTIST WAS TO LET PEOPLE KNOW THAT THE ONLY WAY THAT THEY COULD BE READY TO RECEIVE THE MESSIAH WAS IF THEY ASKED THEMSELVES THE QUESTION "DO I NEED TO BE SAVED AND IF SO FROM WHAT?"

FROM WHAT?

HE KNEW YOU COULDN'T EXPERIENCE SALVATION IF YOU DIDN'T NEED TO FEEL THE NEED TO BE SAVED.

YOU KNOW, THE CHURCH HAS THE SCRIPTURE THAT IS ‑‑ THE OLD TESTAMENT SCRIPTURE THAT IS THE ACCOMPANIMENT OF THE PASSAGE FROM MATTHEW, IT'S FROM ISAIAH, 11TH CHAPTER.

THERE SHALL COME FORTH THE SHOOT FROM THE STONE JESSE, THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD SHALL REST UP ON HIM, THE SPIRIT OF WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING, THE SPIRIT OF COUNSEL AND MIGHT, THE SPIRIT OF KNOWLEDGE AND THE FEAR OF THE LORD AND HIS DELIGHT SHALL BE IN THE FEAR OF THE LORD.

HE SHALL NOT JUDGE BY WHAT HIS EYES SEE OR DECIDE BY WHAT HIS EARS HEAR BUT BY RIGHTEOUSNESS HE SHALL JUDGE THE POOR AND DECIDE EQUITY FOR THE MEEK OF THE EARTH.

HE GOES ON TO SAY ‑‑ THE BEGINNING PART HE IS TALKING ABOUT THE MESSIAH, RIGHT?

THEN HE SAYS THE WOOL SHALL DWELL WITH THE LAMB, THE CALF, LION AND FATTENED CALF TOGETHER AND A LITTLE CHILD SHALL LEAD THEM.

THE COW AND BEAR SHALL GRAZE, THEIR YOUNG SHALL LAY DOWN TOGETHER AND THE LION SHALL EAT STRAW LIKE THE OX, THE WEAN CHILD SHALL PUT HIS ARM ON THE NECK, THEY SHALL NOT DESTROY, FOR THE EARTH SHALL BE FULL OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE LORD AS THE WATERS COVER THE SEA.

IN THAT DAY THE ROOT OF JESSE WHO SHALL STAND AS A SIGNAL FOR THE PEOPLE, OF HIM SHALL THE NATIONS INQUIRE.

THE LORD SHALL EXTEND HIS HAND A SECOND TIME TO RECOVER THE REMNANTS OF WHAT REMAIN OF HIS PEOPLE.

THE BIBLICAL WRITERS TELL US THAT SALVATION HAS TWO COMPONENTS:  BEING SAVED FROM SOMETHING OUTSIDE OF YOURSELF, OVER WHICH YOU HAVE NO CONTROL, AND BEING SAVED FROM SOMETHING WITHIN YOURSELF.

SO, WHAT IS IT THAT WE POSSIBLY NEED TO BE SAVED FROM?

WHY DO WE REJOICE AND CELEBRATE THAT ON CHRISTMAS A SAVIOR WAS BORN?

I THINK IT'S ONLY WHEN WE'RE REALLY HONEST, CONFESSION, REPENTANCE CAN WE REALLY UNDERSTAND WHY CHRISTMAS IS GOOD NEWS.

WE HAVE TO ASK OURSELVES THE QUESTION FROM WHAT DO WE NEED TO BE SAVED?

NOW, I'VE COME UP WITH A LITTLE LIST, IT'S NOT ALL MINE, PEOPLE HAVE SHARED IT OVER THE YEARS AND YOU PROBABLY HAVE YOUR OWN LIST, SO AS YOU ARE LISTENING, THINK ABOUT YOUR OWN LIST, FROM WHAT DO WE NEED TO BE SAVED?

MAYBE THIS:

FROM SADNESS AND HEARTSICKNESS THAT MANY HAVE SENSED THIS YEAR BECAUSE SOMEONE WE LOVED HAS DIED.

FROM RULERS, WHETHER ELECTED OR IMPOSED ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD WHO PUT THEIR OWN GAIN AND POWER OR WEALTH AHEAD OF THE WELFARE OF PEOPLE.

FROM WHAT DO WE NEED TO BE SAVED?

FROM THOSE WHO ACT VIOLENTLY AGAINST CHILDREN, NEIGHBORS OR STRANGERS, FROM OUR OWN CAPACITY FOR VIOLENCE.

FROM THE RAVAGES OF CANCER OR ALZHEIMER'S.

FROM FEAR OF THOSE WHO ARE SICK OR DISABLED OR DYING.

FROM THOSE PEOPLE IN OUR FAMILIES AND WORK PLACES OR OTHER GROUPS WHO ACT IN WAYS THAT ARE DESTRUCTIVE.

AND FROM OUR OWN CAPACITY AND TEMPTATION TO ACT THAT WAY.

FROM WHAT DO WE NEED TO BE SAVED?

UNRESOLVED ANGER, FEAR OR HURT WHICH THREATENS OUR INNER PEACE AND RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS, FROM THE FEAR OF NOT HAVING ENOUGH MONEY AND FROM HOW THAT FEAR CAN IMPACT OUR LIVES AND DECISIONS.

PERHAPS SOME OF US IT MAY BE PRIDE AND SELF‑RIGHTEOUSNESS, ADMITTING NO POSSIBILITY FOR CHANGE OR GROWTH.

FROM WHAT DO WE NEED TO BE SAVED?

FROM ALLOWING OURSELVES TO BE TOO BUSY ‑‑ FROM ALLOWING OURSELVES TO BE TOO BUSY.

THIS LIST ISN'T EXHAUSTIVE, YOU PROBABLY HAVE YOUR OWN LIST.

THINK FROM YOUR LIST, FROM WHAT DO YOU NEED TO BE SAVED THIS ADVENT SEASON?

ONE OF MY FAVORITE STORIES, FROM A PREACHER WHO EVERY SUNDAY WOULD HAVE THIS LITTLE GIRL IN WORSHIP, HER PARENTS WOULD DROP HER OFF.

ONE SUNDAY HE LOOKED UP AND THERE WAS THE LITTLE GIRL AND TWO ADULTS.

HE DIDN'T KNOW WHO THEY WERE, MAYBE FRIENDS.

DURING THE TIME OF INVITATION, TIME WE HAVE IN THE CHURCH, THEY CAME FORWARD AND CONFESSED THEIR FAITH IN CHRIST AND JOINED THE CHURCH.

AFTERWARD THE PREACHER MET WITH THEM AND SAID, "WHAT HAPPENED, WHAT CAUSED ALL THIS?

I KNOW YOU'VE BROUGHT YOUR DAUGHTER AND DROPPED HER OFF, BUT YOU'VE NEVER COME BEFORE.

WHY MAKE THIS DECISION NOW?"

THEY SAID, "WELL, YOU KNOW, WE ARE PRETTY WELL‑KNOWN AROUND HERE FOR OUR PARTIES, SATURDAY NIGHT PARTIES."

HE SAID, "YEAH, I KNOW."

"AND WE HAVE A LOT OF IMPORTANT PEOPLE, WEALTHY PEOPLE AND WE HAVE THESE GREAT PARTIES, THESE CRAZY PARTIES, PARTIES THAT SOMETIMES GET OUT OF HAND.

WELL, LAST NIGHT WE HAD ONE OF THOSE PARTIES, AND LATE IN THE EVENING OUR DAUGHTER WALKED HALFWAY DOWN THE STAIRS, AND SHE SAW THAT PEOPLE WERE DRINKING AND EATING, SHE SAID, 'OH, YOU ARE EATING, DO YOU MIND IF I SAY A PRAYER?'

AND SHE SAID, THIS LITTLE GIRL ON THE STAIRS, 'GOD IS GOOD, GOD IS GREAT, WE THANK HIM FOR HIS FOOD, AMEN.'

SHE SAID GOOD NIGHT AND WALKED ALL THE WAY BACK UP THE STAIRS.

EVERYBODY WAS STUNNED INTO SILENCE, DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.

PEOPLE STARTED LOOKING AT THEIR WATCHES SAYING, 'LOOK AT THE TIME, WE NEED TO GO.'

AND PEOPLE SCURRIED OUT OF THE HOUSE AND THE PARTY WAS OVER.

MY WIFE AND I WERE CLEANING UP THE PAPER AND PLATES, GLASSES, DRINKS AND FOOD AND WE STOPPED ALMOST SIMULTANEOUSLY AND LOOKED AT EACH OTHER AND ASKED, 'WHERE DO WE THINK WE ARE GOING?

WHERE DO WE THINK WE ARE GOING?'"

THE PROMISE ISN'T THAT YOU CAN BE SAVED, THE PROMISE IS YOU ALREADY ARE, BUT JOHN THE BAPTIST TELLS US IF WE DON'T BELIEVE IT, IF WE DON'T CLAIM IT, IF WE DON'T LIVE IT AS IF IT WERE TRUE, THEN WE AREN'T BEARING THE FRUIT THAT WILL RESULT IN ISAIAH'S VISION AND WE WON'T KNOW THE FULLNESS OF CHRISTMAS JOY.

WHEN THE PARENTS ASKED, "WHERE ARE WE GOING?" THAT WAS THEIR FIRST STEP IN BEING HONEST, OF CONFESSING, OF REPENTING, OF UNDERSTANDING WHAT THEY NEED TO BE SAVED FROM.

AND THEY TOOK THAT STEP.

AND THEY BELIEVED IT AND THEY CLAIMED IT AND THEY BEGAN TO LIVE IT AT THAT MOMENT.

I DON'T KNOW THIS SEASON WHAT YOU NEED TO BE SAVED FROM, BUT WHATEVER IT IS, JOHN THE BAPTIST SAYS YOU CAN HAVE IT, YOU CAN BE SAVED FROM IT, YOU CAN LET GO OF WHATEVER IT IS, WHATEVER IT IS THIS SEASON, WHATEVER THE PAIN IS, WHATEVER THE SORE IS, WHATEVER HAS BEEN DONE TO YOU, YOU CAN BE SAVED AND YOU CAN KNOW THE FULLNESS OF CHRISTMAS JOY.

MY PRAYER AND HOPE FOR ALL OF US IS THAT THIS SEASON WE WILL BELIEVE IT AND THAT WE WILL CLAIM IT AND THAT WE WILL BEGIN TO LIVE IT, FOR THEN WE WILL UNDERSTAND WHAT GOOD NEWS IS REALLY ALL ABOUT.

AND THAT IS THE GOOD NEWS.

THE VERY GOOD NEWS.

AND ALL OF GOD'S CHILDREN SAID:  AMEN.

OUR HYMN OF REFLECTION IS "EMMANUEL" WHICH WE WILL SING TWO TIMES THROUGH.

I'D LIKE TO INVITE ANYONE WHO WISHES TO MAKE THEIR CONFESSION IN FAITH OR WISHES TO JOIN THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE CHURCH TO COME FORWARD DURING THE SINGING OF THIS HYMN, WHETHER YOU CONFESS CHRIST UP HERE OR IN THE PEW MATTERS NOT TO ME, BECAUSE IT DOESN'T MATTER TO GOD.

GOD WANTS OUR HEARTS, LET US OFFER HIM OUR HEARTS IN SONG.

LET US STAND AND SING.

>> YOU MAY BE SEATED.

NOW WE COME TO OUR CELEBRATION OF THE LORD'S SUPPER.

ALL THOSE WHO SEEK PEACE, WHO SEEK HEALING ARE CALLED TO THIS TABLE AND IT IS THE LORD THAT CALLS YOU FROM WHEREVER YOU ARE, WHEREVER YOU'VE BEEN, THIS IS THE LORD'S TABLE.

COME AND FEAST.

LET US SHARE IN OUR PRAYER OF CONFESSION.

O GOD, BY COMING TO YOUR TABLE WE RECEIVE MORE GIFTS THAN WE DESERVE, WE GIVE THANKS FOR JESUS CHRIST THROUGH WHOM WE RECEIVE LIFE AND IN WHOM WE ARE BOUND IN COVENANT.

RENEW US SO WE MAY WILLINGLY SERVE AS CHRIST SERVED, AMEN.

IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST WE ARE ALL FOREGIVEN.

LET US REMAIN SEATED AS WE SING OUR COMMUNION HYMN, "BECOME TO US THE LIVING BREAD," NUMBER 423.

FOR I RECEIVED FROM THE LORD WHAT I ALSO HANDED ONTO YOU, THAT THE LORD JESUS ON THE NIGHT WHEN HE WAS BETRAYED TOOK A LOAF OF BREAD AND WHEN HE HAD GIVEN THANKS HE BROKE IT AND SAID:  THIS IS MY BODY THAT IS FOR YOU.

DO THIS IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME.

IN THE SAME WAY HE TOOK THE CUP ALSO AFTER SUPPER SAYING:  THIS CUP IS THE NEW COVENANT IN MY BLOOD, DO THIS, AS OFTEN AS YOU DRINK IT, IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME.

>> ELDER:  GRACIOUS GOD, IN THIS ADVENT SEASON WE PRAY FOR A RENEWED SENSE, SEND YOUR SPIRIT INTO OUR HEARTS, FILL US WITH JOY OF THE WISE MEN AND SHEPHERD'S LONG AGO AS THEY AWAITED THE COMING OF THE CHRIST CHILD.

THE MEMORY OF JESUS WILL BRING US TO THIS TABLE ASKING FOR YOUR PRESENCE DURING THIS ADVENT SEASON, AMEN.

>> ELDER:  WITH CHRISTIANS ALL OVER THE WORLD WE GATHER, CELEBRATE THIS SEASON OF ADVENT, OF EXPECTATION, OF HOPE FOR THE COMING OF THE  SAVIOR, A CHILD NAMED JESUS.

BUT AT THIS TABLE AT THIS MOMENT WE COME GATHERED, CONFRONTED WITH THE KNOWLEDGE THAT THAT SAVIOR IS ALREADY HERE.

HE IS AMONG US, HIS SACRIFICIAL LIFE HAS GIVEN US THE GIFT OF SALVATION AND DRAWN US TO YOU AS WE SHARE THIS SIMPLE MEAL, LET US REMEMBER NOT ONLY THE BIRTH, BUT THE DEATH AND THE LIFE‑GIVING FORGIVENESS THAT WE SHARE.

AMEN.

PLEASE JOIN ME IN THE PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING.

LET US PRAY.

WE ARE THANKFUL, O GOD, FOR THIS MEAL.

MAY WE BECOME INSTRUMENTS OF GRACE THIS ADVENT SEASON.

IN CHRIST'S NAME WE PRAY.

AMEN.

OUR CHORAL BENEDICTION IS "LIFT UP YOUR HEAD," NUMBER 129.

LET US STAND AND SING.

WILL YOU RECEIVE THE BENEDICTION?

LET US GO FORTH FROM THIS PLACE BELIEVING, CLAIMING AND LIVING OUT OUR SALVATION, BEGINNING THE PROCESS OF HEALING.

ALWAYS REMEMBERING THE GRACIOUS WORDS OF OUR LORD JESUS:  BE NOT AFRAID, BE NOT AFRAID, FOR I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, EVEN UNTO THE END, AMEN.