Coming Soon...The Christ Child

Hello, neighbors!
“Coming Soon...” What is coming soon? Well, in case you missed last Sunday’s (11/29) service, we have started
the season of Advent. This year we are taking a different look at the Christmas story. What if we approached the story from the viewpoint of a movie? We began with the trailer and will work our way to the climax. Be ready for a cliffhanger, too! Do I have your attention now? Stay tuned then!
Dietrich Bonhoeffer once said, "The celebration of Advent is possible only to those who are troubled in soul, who know themselves to be poor and imperfect, and who look forward to something greater to come." I am willing to bet that most of us, if not all, would fall under one of those areas mentioned by Bonhoeffer. The beautiful thing is that it does not matter and can only make this season even better. Imagine a movie trailer with a group of misfits that begin a journey not knowing what is next, but who they discover is the real surprise! This sounds like a movie I could get into and provides the something greater to come.
I also found these thoughts from Christianity.com interesting as we discuss what is, “Coming Soon”, in this
season. “While Advent is certainly a time of celebration and anticipation of Christ’s birth, it is more than that. It is only in the shadow of Advent that the miracle of Christmas can be fully understood and appreciated, and it is only in the light of Christmas that the Christian life makes any sense. It is between the fulfilled promise of Christ’s first coming and the yet-to-be-fulfilled promise of his second coming that Karl Barth penned these
words: ‘Unfulfilled and fulfilled promise are related to each other, as are dawn and sunrise. Both promise and in fact the same promise. If anywhere at all, then it is precisely in the light of the coming of Christ that faith has become Advent faith, the expectation of future revelation. But faith knows for whom and for what it is waiting. It is fulfilled faith because it lays hold on the fulfilled promise.’ The promise for Israel and the promise for the church is Jesus Christ; he has come, and he will come again. This is the essence of Advent.”
Do I still have your attention? Stay tuned!
As I wrap things up for this newsletter, I leave you with an Advent prayer to use throughout the month from
author Renee Swope.

This Advent, Lord, come to the manger of my heart. Fill me with Your presence from the very start. As I prepare for the holidays and gifts to be given, remind me of the gift You gave when You sent Your Son from Heaven. The first Christmas gift, it was the greatest gift ever. You came as a baby born in a manger. Wrapped like the gifts I find under my tree, waiting to be opened, to reveal Your love to me.
Restore to me the wonder that came with Jesus' birth, when He left the riches of Heaven and wrapped Himself in rags of earth. Immanuel, God with us, Your presence came that night. And angels announced, "Into your darkness, God brings His Light." "Do not be afraid," they said, to shepherds in the field.
Speak to my heart today, Lord, and help me to yield. Make me like those shepherd boys, obedient to Your call.
Setting distractions and worries aside, to You I surrender them all. Surround me with Your presence, Lord, I long to hear Your voice. Clear my mind of countless concerns and all the holiday noise. Slow me down this Christmas, let me not be in a rush. In the midst of parties and planning, I want to feel Your hush. This Christmas, Jesus, come to the manger of my heart. Invade my soul like Bethlehem, bringing peace to every part. Dwell within and around me, as I unwrap Your presence each day.
Keep me close to You, Lord. It's in Your wonderful Name I pray, Amen.

I have asked you to stay tuned and most are probably looking for more. If that is the case, then please join me as we journey through this season of Advent with our series “Coming Soon...” Invite others to worship with us
every Sunday at 10:00am online via our Facebook page (Marble Memorial UMC). I don’t know about you, but I
am excited to see what God has instore for us as we near the end of 2020!

​Peace be with you, neighbors... Pastor Matt