Pastor Sean teaches on what and how we spend with and through ourselves in the Advent season.
References
Isaiah 9:6-7
Hope of all hopes, dream of our dreams, a child is born, sweet-breathed; a son is given to us: a living gift. And even now, with tiny features and dewy hair, He is great. The power of leadership, and the weight of authority, will rest on His shoulders. His name? His name we’ll know in many ways—
He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Dear Father everlasting, ever-present never-failing, Master of Wholeness, Prince of Peace.
His leadership will bring such prosperity as you’ve never seen before sustainable peace for all time.
This child: God’s promise to David—a throne forever, among us, to restore sound leadership that cannot be perverted or shaken. He will ensure justice without fail and absolute equity. Always. The intense passion of the Eternal, Commander of heavenly armies, will carry this to completion.
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“‘Unto us a child is born; unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulders.’ Unless you sigh with relief at those words, you haven’t really been listening. What we need just now, more obviously than ever in my lifetime, is someone to shoulder the burden, someone who can get under pick up our multiple problems and carry them for us.”
— NT Wright, Christmas Sermon, 2008
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Luke 1:46-55
Mary: My soul lifts up the Lord!
My spirit celebrates God, my Liberator! For though I’m God’s humble servant, God has noticed me. Now and forever, I will be considered blessed by all generations. For the Mighty One has done great things for me; holy is God’s name!From generation to generation, God’s lovingkindness endures for those who revere Him. God’s arm has accomplished mighty deed. The proud in mind and heart, God has sent away in disarray. The rulers from their high positions of power, God has brought down low. And those who were humble and lowly, God has elevated with dignity. The hungry—God has filled with fine food. The rich God has dismissed with nothing in their hands. To Israel, God’s servant, God has given help. As promised to our ancestors, remembering Abraham and his descendants in mercy forever.