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The Word and the Dragon
The Second Sunday in Advent
Bulletin: Bulletin December 5 2021
Newsletter:Weekly Letter December 5 2021
Scriptures: Romans 15:4-13; Psalm 80; Luke 21:25-33
Songs:
- How Great Our Joy (lyrics & melody, video-orchestra, celtic, meditation)
- It Came Upon a Midnight Clear (Celtic Women, Kutless, background & meditation)
Joel Russell-MacLean 
Sometimes, with good intentions, we say, “Christmas is about celebrating Jesus’ birthday.” We often celebrate the birthdays of folks whom we love, so it only makes sense that we would do the same for Jesus, the one who loves us. However, we are not just looking backwards at Jesus’ birth.
Advent and Christmas are about today and tomorrow. Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus seeks to arrive within your life today; Jesus will arrive again on earth as he promised on a day drawing ever nearer. Advent asks us:
Are you ready?
In this way, celebrating Advent and Christmas is actually meant to help us. Be prepared! Welcome Jesus into your life now! For anyone who does, there is a warning and a promise.
Evil and darkness tried to destroy Jesus during his first advent; they have continued their war against believers and creation. they will continue to resist God’s rule to the very end until Jesus arrives and sets all things right. The book of Revelation depicts the enemy of God as a dragon, attempting to swallow Jesus and every newborn believer.
A Christian will need steadfastness in the face of confusion and fear.
There is also hope. God’s word, handed down to us in the Scriptures, is meant to encourage us to hold on through weariness and grief. This is the Gospel: Jesus Christ is coming. Sin, death and all our enemies will come to an end. Every Advent and Christmas, we soak up this good news so that we might be faithful until death or the return of Jesus.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15.13