12-1-24 Living in the Light of His Promise

Click here for worship materials

Living in the Light of His Promise

 

I want to start with something funny: A Sunday school teacher was teaching her class about Jesus’ return. She asked, “What would you do if Jesus came back today?”

Little Sarah raised her hand and said, “I’d give Him a big hug!”
Tommy chimed in, “I’d ask Him all my questions about dinosaurs!”
But then little Johnny stood up and said confidently, “I’d make sure to look really busy!”

What if Jesus returned this Christmas? What would you do for Him?

Today is the first Sunday of Advent. The word “Advent” comes from the Latin word Adventus, which is translated into Greek as Parousia, meaning “coming” or “arrival.” In the Christian calendar, Advent signifies “the season of waiting for the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Advent marks the beginning of the Christian year. In other words, today is the first day of the new year in the Christian calendar. This is the time when Christians begin their annual journey of faith, waiting expectantly for the return of Jesus Christ.

During Advent, we light five unique candles: three purple, one pink and one white, which is placed at the center. Until Christmas Day, we light one candle each week. Each candle holds a special meaning. The first symbolizes hope; the second, peace; the third, joy; the fourth, love; and the fifth, the white candle, represents the light of Christ. It reminds us that Jesus Christ came into a dark world as the light, bringing hope, peace, joy, and love.

Jesus promised His return. In His farewell sermon, He said, “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:3). In today’s scripture, we read, “The Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.”

The season of Advent invites us to wait for the Lord’s return, not just to focus on Christmas Day.

Advent marks the beginning of a new liturgical year—a season of hope, preparation, and anticipation of Christ’s coming. Jesus speaks of signs in the heavens and on the earth, urging His followers to remain vigilant and faithful. Let’s prepare our hearts and lives not only for Christmas, but also for the promised return of Christ.

Jesus foretells cosmic signs and earthly distress, yet He encourages us to “stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Advent reminds us that God is faithful to His promises. Just as He sent Jesus into the world, He will fulfill His promise to return. How does the assurance of Christ’s return bring hope amidst the uncertainties in your life today?

Someone may ask, “Is there any hope in the world? Wars, poverty, and injustice still reign. The world is full of violence.” We indeed hear more bad news than good news in our daily lives. The world may be filled with violence and destruction, but it is not overcome. Even amidst injustice, poverty, violence, and prejudice, signs of hope remain when we pray, engage in mission work, and live out God’s love through our actions. So, we watch, we wait and we wonder.

Today’s scripture says: “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads because your redemption is drawing near” (Luke 21:25-28). Jesus tells us that redemption often comes at the edge of despair. Though the world is full of violence, poverty and injustice, God never gives up on us. Jesus will come again to save us.

Have you ever experienced hope at the moment of despair? I have. One such moment was when I had a broken spine. My doctor gave up on me, and many around me thought I’d never walk again. It felt as if I were falling off a cliff day by day. But at the edge of despair, God sent a pastor to my hospital room. He brought me a message of hope: “God loves you.” That pastor was a sign that God hadn’t given up on me, even when everyone else had.

Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away” (Luke 21:33). I chose to believe that God could heal me, and by His grace, I walked again. Through that long, dark time, I learned that even at the edge of despair, there is hope. Trust in God. Trust in Jesus Christ. Even if you are standing at the edge of pain, don’t give up hope. God will send someone—a sign, an angel—to help you out.

The ultimate example of hope in despair is Jesus Christ. Born of the Virgin Mary and raised in a poor family, He was an outcast. Yet He made friends with the poor, the sick, and the marginalized. Though He suffered a humiliating death on the cross, it wasn’t the end. He rose from the dead, just as He promised. Jesus is hope for those at the edge of despair and for all who pray in a world of brokenness.

Jesus also urges us not to be weighed down by “dissipation, drunkenness, and the anxieties of life.” Instead, He calls us to pray and remain steadfast. Advent reminds us to hold on to hope—not a wishful hope, but one rooted in the certainty of God’s love and power.

Advent is a season of light, hope and expectation.

Do you enjoy playing ping-pong? As you may know, I do! One of the key skills in ping-pong is to focus on where you want the ball to go. When you hit the ball with your paddle, you must keep your eyes on the place you want it to land, and more often than not, it will go there. But if you look under the table, the ball will almost certainly drop there instead.

Hope is like that—it’s certainty in the midst of uncertainty. Our expectation for the future that Jesus promises should be filled with hope, not despair.

As we light the first candle on the Advent wreath, let it remind us to live in the light of Christ’s promise. Stand firm, stay awake and carry hope into the world, trusting that the One who came in humility will return in glory. This week, take time to reflect on how you can actively live out the hope of Christ’s coming. Let your life be a testimony to the joy and peace of Advent. Thanks be to God. Amen.