Advent Confrontation: Bearing the Son of God to the World, Luke 1:39-56

When the Virgin Mary visited her aged relative Elizabeth, both women were filled with the Holy Spirit and uttered astonishing words of praise for the one that the Virgin was carrying. St. Mary is truly the God-bearer because she is carrying God himself in the flesh in her womb and thus bears the Son of God into the world for the world’s sake.

Image: The Visitation, photo by Lawrence OP, Detail from a tapestry dating to c. 1450-75, believed to have been made by a Dominican nun in Switzerland. The tapestry is part of the Burrell Collection in Glasgow. CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. Image location: https://www.flickr.com/photos/paullew/7306904510

www.gracegastonia.com/sermon-blog/2021/12/19/advent-confrontation-bearing-the-son-of-god-to-the-world-luke-139-56

Advent Confrontation: Joy Received, Zephaniah 3:14-20, Luke 3:7-20

The prophet Zephaniah has foretold of the coming judgment of God throughout his book, but at the end of it, he speaks of a picture of rejoicing that flows out of the work of Yahweh to bring the Gentiles and Israelites together into a single company that praises him. John the Baptist tells the people how they are to live in light of their repentance in the Gospel of Luke. How do these come together in light of the work of Jesus in us? Father Jeremiah helps us to understand that God’s joy in bringing out salvation becomes a foundation for our repentance and rejoicing through today’s text.

Image: Ghent AltarPiece-Music making Angels (right), Jan van Eych, public domain. Image location: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ghent_Altarpiece_-_Music-making_Angels_(right).jpg

www.gracegastonia.com/sermon-blog/2021/12/12/advent-confrontation-joy-received-zephaniah-314-20-luke-37-20

Advent Confrontation: Peace and Repentance, Malachi 3, Luke 3:1-6

In this second week of Advent, we consider the relationship of peace to repentance. Through the work of Jesus, there is peace to be received. But how do we come to receive it and experience the peace of God in us? It is through faith and repentance, turning from our sinfulness and toward the One who brings us healing.

Image: Preaching of John the Baptist, Hans Liefrinck, CC0 1.0. Image location: https://www.lookandlearn.com/history-images/YR0037838/Preaching-of-John-the-Baptist

www.gracegastonia.com/sermon-blog/2021/12/5/advent-confrontation-peace-and-repentance-malachi-3-luke-31-6

Advent Confrontation: Needing an Advent Hope, Zechariah 14, Luke 21.25-33

With the beginning of Advent, we return to visit the reality of Jesus’ coming again. Advent is not only about preparing for Jesus’ birth, but also preparing fo this second coming. Today we hear from both Zechariah and Luke and consider the consequences of these passages for us today.

Image: From an 18th c. illustrated copy of Josephus’ Works, no copyright found. Location: http://www.joeledmundanderson.com/jesus-and-the-olivet-discourse-the-abomination-of-desolation-and-other-cosmic-stuff-part-4-the-jewish-war-series/

www.gracegastonia.com/sermon-blog/2021/11/28/advent-confrontation-needing-an-advent-hope-zechariah-14-luke-2125-33