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An Advent proclamation
Pastor's Corner
by Trent Johnson
While Christmas Day is still more than three weeks away, the Advent season officially began this past Sunday. As such, please hear the Word of the Lord as proclaimed by the Old Testament prophet, Isaiah:
“Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress…[I]n the future [God] will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan –
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder. For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.
For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this (Isaiah 9:1-7 – New International Version).”
Hallelujah! Whether announced 600 years before his birth, or celebrated 2000 years after, the Advent of Jesus Christ, the King of the world, is good news and reason for great joy!
This Christmas season, by God’s grace, may we be delivered from the self-indulgent, consumeristic hedonism that seems to drive so much of how we approach this time of year. May we instead embrace the eternal truths God offers us in and through the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Specifically, may we exchange our darkness, distress and death for the light and life of Jesus. May sorrow be exchanged for God’s joy. May bondage be exchanged for God’s freedom. May war within and war without be exchanged for God’s peace even as God’s justice and righteousness are established in and through our lives.
This would be a Christmas in keeping with Isaiah’s prophetic vision. This would be a Christmas reflecting the true spirit of Christ. This would be a Christmas revealing the true purpose of who and what Jesus’ followers, the Church, are called to do and to be in our world. This would be a Christmas empowered and enabled by the zeal of God’s Spirit to further advance and establish the Kingdom of God in and over human affairs. This would truly be Christmas, rather than the pale, shoddy pretender we’ve invented as an excuse to eat, drink and be merry.
Advent has begun. Rejoice, but remember why we celebrate. Celebrate, but don’t forget how this season is meant to transform our lives. Live the values and virtues of Christmas, and see light and joy and peace become something more than idealistic words printed on a greeting card. As he has come before, even so may the Lord Jesus quickly come again to finally and fully establish the Kingdom inaugurated that first Christmas Day!
The Reverend Trent Johnson is the pastor of Hope Christian Church in Shoreview.
“Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress…[I]n the future [God] will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan –
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder. For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.
For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this (Isaiah 9:1-7 – New International Version).”
Hallelujah! Whether announced 600 years before his birth, or celebrated 2000 years after, the Advent of Jesus Christ, the King of the world, is good news and reason for great joy!
This Christmas season, by God’s grace, may we be delivered from the self-indulgent, consumeristic hedonism that seems to drive so much of how we approach this time of year. May we instead embrace the eternal truths God offers us in and through the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Specifically, may we exchange our darkness, distress and death for the light and life of Jesus. May sorrow be exchanged for God’s joy. May bondage be exchanged for God’s freedom. May war within and war without be exchanged for God’s peace even as God’s justice and righteousness are established in and through our lives.
This would be a Christmas in keeping with Isaiah’s prophetic vision. This would be a Christmas reflecting the true spirit of Christ. This would be a Christmas revealing the true purpose of who and what Jesus’ followers, the Church, are called to do and to be in our world. This would be a Christmas empowered and enabled by the zeal of God’s Spirit to further advance and establish the Kingdom of God in and over human affairs. This would truly be Christmas, rather than the pale, shoddy pretender we’ve invented as an excuse to eat, drink and be merry.
Advent has begun. Rejoice, but remember why we celebrate. Celebrate, but don’t forget how this season is meant to transform our lives. Live the values and virtues of Christmas, and see light and joy and peace become something more than idealistic words printed on a greeting card. As he has come before, even so may the Lord Jesus quickly come again to finally and fully establish the Kingdom inaugurated that first Christmas Day!
The Reverend Trent Johnson is the pastor of Hope Christian Church in Shoreview.
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