First Sunday of Advent - C

We complete the lectionary cycle this week by recalling the reign of Christ in the life of believers and the world.  But there’s a distinction between having a king and wanting a king. Moreover, sometimes the priorities we establish for ourselves bear no resemblance to the priorities of the reign of God.  In the Gospel reading, Pilate seems confused. If Jesus is a king, then exactly what sort of king is he, and what is the nature of his kingdom? Pilate’s confusion becomes our confusion as well.

Contents
“Pilate’s Point Of View” by David O. Bales
“Priests for Whom?” by David O. Bales


Pilate’s Point Of View
by David O. Bales
John 18:33-37

Morris stared at the plain white tiles of the hospital ceiling and wondered how much longer he would have to wait for the nurse to come and get him. He looked around at the curtains surrounding the waiting area and pulled the blanket over his feet. He sighed loudly.

“Bored?” a voice asked from the other side of the curtain.

“Yeah,” Morris replied. “I just want this over.”

Joel 2:21-27 and Psalm 126
That psalm could be for someone who was out of work who the Lord finds a job for. They can rejoice and give thanks for the Lord’s restoration. They will have a happy thanksgiving. Even those still out of work have a Lord who is keeping them alive until a more permanent answer arrives.

We can all find something to be thankful for. Thanksgiving is at least one time when we can make a list of all those things. Some take paper and pen and do that.

2 Samuel 23:1-7 and Psalm 132:1-12, (13-18)
Do what’s right. David says it this way, “One who rules over people justly, ruling in the fear of God, is like the light of morning, like the sun rising on a cloudless morning, gleaming from the rain on the grassy land.” These are some of David’s final words and, as such, they are significant. It’s hard to always do the right thing.

The theme for the final Sunday of the church year is a reminder that Christ already reigns! We already see hints of his rule at the end of time, even today.

2 Samuel 23:1-7

In the book “Through the Looking Glass,” by Lewis Carroll, the chess pieces come to life, including the befuddled White Queen who in response to Alice’s assertion that one can’t believe in things that are impossible, replies, “I daresay you haven’t had much practice. When I was your age, I always did it for half-an-hour a day. Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.”

The lectionary scriptures cut the number in half and ask us to believe in three, if not quite impossible, then certainly improbable things.

“My kingdom is not from this world” (v. 36a)

Good morning girls and boys,

Have your parents ever told you “always tell the truth?” (children respond)

Of course what they mean, to tell the truth, is be honest, don't lie, tell it like it is.

Truth is a tiny word with only 5 letters -- T-R-U-T-H, but has a big, big meaning.

When Jesus was on trial he was asked by governor Pontus Pilate “what is truth?”

“Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?” (v. 25b)

Good morning boys and girls,

I'm so glad to see you. It's a fun time in this wonderful thanksgiving holiday season isn't it? Let's make a list of things we are thankful for. (list items on sketch pad as children make suggestions) We have a lot to be thankful for don't we?

I sometimes catch those programmes on television which offer people an evening out with the celebrity of their choice, or at least, ask people who they would choose if they could have that choice. Film stars and pop stars usually come at the top of the list, closely followed by royalty, especially the younger and handsomer members of the royal family.

When I see some of the choices I find myself shuddering and wonder what on earth people can see in such a person. But I suppose the choice is usually based on

Theme For The Day
Jesus Christ is King -- but not the sort of king the world expects.

Old Testament Lesson
2 Samuel 23:1-7
The Last Words Of David

In the small town of Mapleville, the ecumenical Thanksgiving Eve service was poorly attended. Once it was a popular event for the whole town, gathering people from a variety of denominations and faiths. In recent years, attendance had faded to a faithful few. Most of those who came in any given year were members of the host congregation. What began as a spirited occasion that brought together a variety of clergy, choirs, and congregations had shrunk in numbers and dwindled in enthusiasm.