​Today, Sunday, December 27, is the first Sunday after Christmas.  We have now returned to the real world - a world filled with danger, risk, hurt and evil. A world where children die senselessly, a world where parents live in fear and oppression; a world thirsty for peace that can easily erupt in genocide at any moment; a world filled with massive storms and earthquakes and tsunamis.

Before we go further, let us look back and see what the Lord taught us in those darkest times of 2020. Let me remind you of few themes of our sermons and I do not expect you to remember all of these. 

• January-February —We learned about Church in Motion & the redeeming voice of God through the wilderness as we took on the story of Exodus.  
• March—It was finding hope in the midst of wilderness. During the breaking news of the Coronavirus, God taught us to find hope in Christ as we journey through lent.
• April—Christ is Risen! And we heard Jesus inviting us to Christ's presence as we recall his self-revelation to the disparate fishers on the shore of Lake Tiberias and gave them warmth and fed them. Too, we feel Jesus' presence and his love surrounding us in our fears. 
• May—We took on "Church in Action" and are called to imitate the church of Acts it made itself available and Paul meeting people where they feel comfortable, even during sever persecutions.
• June— We talked about Faith, Hope, Endurance, and Resiliency. The author of Hebrews encouraged us to run the race with endurance and " lay aside every encumbrance." Hebrews 12:1 
• July—God’s called for Justice and New beginning— we journeyed through Hosea, Joel, Amos and the rest of the books of the minor prophets.
• August—Waiting on God while hope seems distant, was Habakkuk's call for us.
• Sep—Haggai too, challenged us of giving and remined us of our calling. That we should take courage while maintaining or building the church, the members, physically and spiritually.
• October—we celebrated Reformation, World Communion and with the parable of the prodigal son, we are called to "Mind our return" because we cannot live outside the presence of God.    
• November—Matthew 25 brought the parables, (the bridesmaids, the talents, and the return of the son of man), that relates to gifts of faith, of service and Rewards & renewing covenant with King Jesus, on Christ the King Sunday and beyond.
• December—it was Advent, then the gift of love, light, deliverance, and reunion with God on Christmas and God promises to remain with us now and till the end of the world.

I am sure this is too much to remember, but I need us to remind ourselves with a few.  Even if 2020 was the darkest year of human history, we should not forget, that the light that had shone and able to expel the darkness of the world on Christmas, keeps shining, bringing hopes to life; comfort to the broken hearted; strength the weak and the fearful. This is God's purpose in sending us Christ.  

In our lectionary gospel reading, Luke reported that after Marry and Joseph completed the ceremony "required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom, and the favor of God was upon him." Luke 2:39-40 

This simple child is endowed with God's favor, God's power, might and wisdom. He came to the ones of his own. He came as a new beginning of God's purpose. He was the promise. He was the light that Isaiah called Israel to seek after as Israel dwelled in the shadow of slavery. In Isiah 60:1, an astonishing voice of mercy was heard inviting Israel to rise above circumstance because the light of God has come toward—to Arise and shine! Israel was in its weakiest moment. Israel was called rejected, desolate land, forsaken by own God, and there was no hope for the remnants either. Yet, God break the dawning light and break the good news of God's reclaiming Israel. God brings a fresh restart of partnership. Therefore, Israel must recognize the light and make its own little light shine forth to meet divine offer. God has remembered his commitment and show his love to Israel once again.

We can see this love manifested through the example of Hosea's marriage to the unfaithful partner. For the sake of the covenant, God has promised to keep loving Israel despite Israel's untrustworthiness character. In the fullness of time, after Israel experienced a period of slavery, God comforted and promised of a double reward for the cause (Isaiah 40:1-2). This happened not because of Israel's goodness or any merit, but only God's love compelled God to have compassion on Israel. The author of laminations recalls the experience and said: “The faithful love of the Lord never ends; His mercies never cease.” (Laminations 3:22)

Scholars agreed on one thing, that Isaiah 60-62 is believed to be a proclamation of the good news to Israel. When we read these chapters, we can see voices of a speaker and of the receiver while God remained silent in the background. Israel expressed gratitude for God's mercy and deliverance and said, — "I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom dressed for his wedding or a bride with her jewels (Isaiah 61:10-11).

God, on the other hand, broke his silence and promised to remain Israel's defender and that he won't rest until his full purpose is accomplished— "until her vindication shines out like the dawn, and her salvation like a burning torch (Isaiah 62:1).  As Charles Cousar says, 'the exuberant joyfulness in the face of so much present and future hardship is quite remarkable." What has been the old experience is now and will be the future hope that rests and sources from within.
This hope is to be "born of a woman" says Paul, making many friends, and make their deliverance possible. This promise has been fulfilled with Jesus's Birth as the light to the world and in his ministry as he claimed on a Sabbath when he was given the scroll and read from Isaiah. That the promises of God have been fulfilled and that he had come (Luke 4:14-19).

1. To bring good news to the poor—“for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:3
2. To proclaim release to the captives—"for they will be comforted." Matthew 5:4
3. To restore the sight to the blind—"for they will see God" Matthew 5:8
4. To set free the oppressed—"for they will be filled" Matthew 5:6
5.  To proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor— "for they will be called children of God" Matthew 5:9

Therefore, through the coming of Christ, at the time when we were still sinners, God reached out to us. Even when we were and are imperfect, God has, and will cause our:

1. Deliverance through atonement in the blood of Jesus Christ  
2. Vindication and Justify us right with him only by faith in Christ
3. Transformation and create in us a spirit of worship to glorify God as God over other gods of the world.
4. Reunion and bring personal relationship with him

As God's love to Israel has been wide and endless, this too, affirms to us today the love of God. We are the most important, significant, and substantial possessions to God. This immeasurable love is unfathomable and profound. Puzzled by God's compassion, the psalmist broke his silence and asks "…what are human beings that you are mindful of them, crowned them with glory and honor (Psalm 8). Isaiah seems to have the answer and says human beings are God’s precious Jewells, are precious God's sight, and honored, and "I love you" says God. (Isaiah 43:4).  More importantly, the elect and the chosen are enveloped in God's purpose and are vital in God's salvific plan and are as the apple of God’s eye (Zech. 2:8).  This means, God will not keep silent over their case, circumstance, misfortune, and God always brings breakthrough in God's own timing.  We are safe and secure with God even when we are in troubling circumstances of our lives. What a promise!

In his daily study commentary, William Barclay, describes security with God both inward and outward: Inwardly, he says, "The inward characteristic is the awareness of the love of God, the deep awareness that we cannot drift beyond his care, the sense that the everlasting arms are underneath us. One of the basic needs of life is security and we find that need met in the consciousness of the unchanging love of God." God never changes and his love is an endless ocean to us. In the moment of despair, God promises to shoot up a new beginning, new way that help us look into the matters in the world around us. God puts himself in position for your cause. God will not take rest until a messenger is appointed and you're inform of the God's great news. This can be hearing a scripture on Sunday, reading the Bible, chatting with a friend, or even hearing the whisper of God's voice into our hearts.

God promised Israel of a new beginning.  He also tells us he will robe us with   RIGHTEOUSNESS and will be a perfect robe— (not like mine). God's robe is God's presence, renewal, and close relationship with us.  God will bring Spring of joy in time of sorrow. In those moments, where God seems distance, the whisper of the Holy Spirit wakens our covenant relationship and our commitment to God. You and I are given new name and will be called: Chosen, Forgiven, Delight, and God's own crown.  No more will you be called rejected, desolate, old, and powerless. But in God's newness, you will be young in heart, renewed in hope like Abraham and let this be true to us in the year 2021.

As the bridegroom finds joy in his union with his bride, so will your God take joy in his union with you! (Isaiah 61:11). A new day is about to dawn in the relationship between God and the people. As the end of captivity bring Joy to Israel, may the new year end the pain and suffering of our people and the whole world through this virus.  
This message is personal to me as well as you have accepted and show me love through my ministry. And thank you for accepting me in my filthy robe today and in our struggles to make the service possible throughout this year. Thank you to many of you who, behind the sense, have been helping and making the service, our newsletters, and websites possible and better. Thank you for your love and acceptance of me even in my crazy moments of losing the entire PowerPoint or adding hymn to the PowerPoint sometimes. Your patient has made my weakness turn to strength and fear to greater confidence. In my wants, needs and despair, you reach out with great support and your generosity has brighten our Christmas this year.  

It's true that God's intention and greater purpose for our lives is transformation and rebuilding. It's about restoration and reunion with him and take on personal responsibility. “In the Jewish world, on the first Sabbath after a boy had passed his twelfth birthday, his father took him to the Synagogue, where he became A Son of the Law. The father thereupon uttered a benediction, "Blessed be thou, O God, who has taken from me the responsibility for this boy." The boy prayed a prayer in which he said, "O my God and God of my fathers! On this solemn and sacred day, which marks my passage from boyhood to manhood, I humbly raise my eyes unto thee, and declare with sincerity and truth, that henceforth I will keep thy commandments, and undertake and bear the responsibility of mine actions towards thee." There was a clear dividing line in the boy's life; almost overnight he became a man.” William Barclay

Alluded to this experience, Paul told Galatians that they are in union with God as faithful adults as they accept Christ Jesus. That they do not belong to the laws, or the legal codes that had served as guardian until the coming of the gospel. The gospel, then, has brought us deliverance from the law.  This deliverance is the gift of God and God's only love that bring us unity. This unity is compared to the best Robe, only made prefect by God through Christ and it's God's salvation which we receive by faith.  As Paul states, "…when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. 6 And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God." Galatians 4:4–7

​Therefore, we are heirs of God with full rights to access God, and God's goodness and possession. As children, we have full confidence to approach God and ask of him everything we need.  And God has and will causes your deliverance. He has and will transform you from within. He will remain as your "glory within” to guide, as you continue your journey with him to the new year—2021! The secret to keeping the joy of Christmas and to maintain our union with God, is to keep finding and seeking the face of God! So, may it be true to you now and through 2021!

Today, the gospel of Luke brings us a terrifying announcement to a young girl. An angel appeared to Mary to break a strange news to hear; a news that was out of context; but the news was about an extraordinary gift of a child. She was frightened as she encountered an angelic being. Imagine a strange creature appeared to you at night. What would you do? How would you react? More surprisingly, this obscure being is talking to you in your own language! Think how a terrifying moment it might be!
 
I always remember a story of an old woman from my village when I read Mary's story. The woman saw herself in a mirror for the first time in her life. Her nephew had brought home a mirror from a nearby town and placed the mirror in the far end of the hut. The aunty had no knowledge about the strange object in the hut. One afternoon this woman looking for an item, entered the hut and saw her reflection in the mirror. She had no front upper teeth in the past and her lower teeth were removed due to our tradition. That afternoon what the woman saw was a monster with closed teeth staring at her. She ran out screaming, "lääy dagø yi øtø"—meaning, there is unidentifiable animal inside the hut.  When the villagers came to her rescue, they found a mirror, everyone saw their own reflection, but there was no animal in the hut. Do not yield to your fear, is the message for our 4th Sunday of Advent today.  
 
The text for today begins by reporting that Elizabeth was in her six-month pregnancy when the angel appeared to Mary. Let us take time and see the parallel context of the preceding passes. Luke 1:12-20—the angel appeared to Zacharias, while Luke 1:26-38 presents the same angel appearing to Mary breaking the news that the impossible can be possible and the imaginable is now conceivable. The story of Elizabeth and Mary breaks the trajectory of human experience—the old brings out anew and the young brings forth a new beginning. The stories appear to portray both Mary and Zechariah yielding to their fear as they were presented with the impossible. While Zachariah briefly was made mute until the birth of the child, Mary   submitted to the sovereignty of God. She realized she was powerless but believe only God can do the impossible (Luke 1:12-20; Luke 1:26-38).
 
Also, when the angel appeared— “Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear” (v. 12). Mary was "confused and disturbed” (v. 29). “But the angel said [to Zechariah], “Don’t be afraid (v. 13).”  And to Mary, “Don’t be afraid,” the angel told her” (v. 30). “Your wife Elizabeth will give you a son,” said Gabriel, (v. 13). And the angel said to Mary, “You will conceive and give birth to a son” (v. 31); “you are to name him John” (v. 13),” you will name him Jesus” (v. 31).
While John “will be great in the eyes of the Lord,” (v. 15); Jesus “…will be very great and will be called the Son of the Highest” (v. 32). John "will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God (v.16); and Jesus will reign over Israel (v. 33). Both Zechariah and Mary, presented their doubts; “How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years” Zechariah complained (v. 18). “But how can this happen? I am a virgin,” Mary presented her fear (v. 34).
 
Then Gabriel assured them, “I am Gabriel, [sent by God], my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time” (v. 19-20). To Mary, "The angel replied,” The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you.” (v. 35). This is to assure Mary that God’s presence, his protection, and the encouragement will rest upon even when she cannot understand the whole plan of Yahweh. God will protect and strengthen Mary against all the shame, the name calling, the fear and all other cultural stigmas that might come as part of Mary's conception.  
 
Unlike Matthew, Luke's focus lies on God's intervention to human world when recording the birth story. Luke did not waste time on chronological order, biological connection, but his emphasis is on Jesus, the subject of his writing. That Jesus is the son of God of the Most Hight; he is the Messiah, the promised one whose background traced back to Jesse and king David. His aim is to present the new acts of God in the new age and the long expecting hope. Luke wants to encourage his readers to stay firm in hearing of this strange story of heavenly affairs to human world. He brings “the beginning of the fulfilment of God’s saving purpose” Charles B Cousar.
 
Jesus is the promise Messiah and scriptures proves this promise. As Isaiah promised, "A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit" (Isaiah 1:1). A dead stump will shoot out a new beginning. You may think of a pruned tree giving out new leaves and branches. But it is impossible for a dead stump to bring out a new shoot of the same tree. There might be an algae, mushrooms or different organisms growing out of it. This biological and forestry logic is unheard of. The announcement of Gabriel has broken every logical thinking of this world order. God disclosed his love ‘TO” us in mysterious way—on Christmas.
 
We can see two inconceivable facts: an old woman giving birth to a child and a virgin giving birth to a Baby, are hard to reconcile and understand. Yet, the angels broke the news and strengthened his hearers, to "not yield to fear." It is possible for God. Yes, God has said in the past, that "In that day, the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples… the Lord will reach out his hand a second time to reclaim the surviving remnant of his people… (Isaiah 11:10-11). God has second time chance for his people. His banner is not fear, nor a discouragement, but love and comfort over us. The announcement is to inform us how hopes can be fulfils, impossible can be overcome when God intervene in our story.
 
The women who were in cultural and unnatural despair were brought hope and love. The assurance was in the angel's identification and in the greetings, he offered saying, "you have found favor with God"; God's unmerited grace is in Godself—"the impassible things [are] accomplished by God." Charles B. Cousar.
 
What does this mean to us today? It is about God’s assurance of his presence, God’s encouragement and God’s gift of love and mercy on us through the newborn child. Luke’s portrayal of his characters tells us that we are all passive objects of God's intervention. Mary responded, “let it be according to your word,” even if she could not fully understand God’s plan.  God's action for human's salvation, is always a mystery.
 
It’s about human life experience and the gospel of hope and love. "Life can be difficult; sometimes a [person] is beaten to his[/her] knees by the battering that it gives to him [her]. Life can be perilous, sometimes a [person] is like to fall in the slippery places of temptation. The gospel is God's power to save; that power which keeps a [person] erect, even when life is at its worst and its most threatening.” William Barclay. The angel confirms the miracle Elizabeth already had experienced. and “Mary quietly accepted the promise without any hint of the doubts …." I. Howard Marshall.
After that terrifying encounter, Mary, took a trip to visit her cousin. Therefore, do not yield to your fear, stay firm, and let it be according God’s own well.
 
It is about our relationship to Jesus. We are of Jesus and he is of us. We can all see our reflections in him because we are made heirs of God through him. That we should not yield to our fear, because like my villagers Jesus is our mirror. We can see him in us (well not our teeth) 😊. The book of Hebrews says, “For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore, he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered; he is able to help those who are being tested.” (Heb 1:14-18).
 
We see our reflection in him, he is in us and one of us. He is our mirror; the savior is to be born and brings God’s favorable love of God to us. On Christmas, the Mystery of God is finally disclosed and encourages everyone to:

• A.    make known to the Gentiles and make it known to others. After he was made know to Jesus, Andrew did not hesitate to invite his brother, John, and Philip called Nathaniel, saying, come “we have found the Messiah.”
• The Samaritan woman went invited the Samaritans to come see what he had found. The Samaritans from villages believed in Jesus and said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the Savior of the world” (John 4 39-42). And Paul proudly claimed that he is not “ashamed of the gospel of Christ. Because it is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and the Gentile (Romans 1:16-17).
• B.     proclaim Jesus Christ—to set people free from fear ad life circumstance and to join voices to glorify God (Luke 2:13-13). 
• C.     bring about the obedience of faith—to believe in only Son of God not idols of our times and against multiple deity of my African ancestors (Heb 1:1-3).
• D.    glorify God as we continue to believe in Jesus Christ the savior (John 14:6). 

Therefore, Jesus comes as savior; he is Emmanuel who promise to remain and make his dwelling among us. Jesus is not a stranger but one of us and if one of us, then there is no reason to yield to our fears. He will be beside us to guide and give us divine support in our faith journey.
 
Today Luke tells us of our faith. It is true that faith does not make things easy but will make hard things possible. Like Mary let us accept our calling and the love of God and say, “let it be with me according to your word.”  Jesus the savor of the world is to be born to us, he is the Messiah, the Christ!  

Has my joy been shaken? As the year comes to an end, this might be a question we could all ask ourselves whether our joys and hope have been compromised during trying times of the year 2020. It is true that everyone of us has been touched by this adamant virus. The virus has brought fear, uncertainty, and confusion. It seems there is no end to this dreadful time. Many of us are asking when we could see better times again.
Year 2020 has been a different year and has brought on us overriding challenges.  The question, now, is whether we still have confidence in God's protection and believe his deliverance? Do we see God's gift of hope? Are we certain that God would restore us again?  

The last three Sundays of Advent, scriptures have been talking about the anticipation of Jesus' return at the end of the ages not as an infant on Christmas. We expect Advent to offer something uplifting and promising. However, these past Sundays have been about Jesus return to judge and condemn, even today while we are praying and anticipating Joy.
As Paul comes to conclusion of his first letter of Thessalonians, he took a greater interest to emphasize on the most important aspects of a Christian life. He needed the Thessalonians to be anchored on the foundation of Jesus Christ and maintain a faithful Christian living. Paul urged them to live lives filled with joy; encouraged by prayer and inspirited by thankfulness.    

As Thessalonian believers expected an imminent return of Christ, Paul reminds them how "they are faced with a new kind of discernment as they are forced to determine the particularity of the will of God in the challenges of their everyday lives." Charles B. Cousar.

Paul describes God’s will for the Thessalonians with continued phrases; that they should Rejoice always, pray without ceasing despite their circumstance and often be thankful. Paul suggests life of service that is “characterized by delight, by gratitude and by confidence." Charles B. Cousar It is life mark with discovering joy in the mist of circumstances.
 The word "joy" has been an important term from the announcement of the Good News" to Mary until the ascension of Christ to the heavenly throne. The angel encouraged Marry to not be afraid “for you have found favor with God!" (Luke 1:30). "You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, " the angels announced to Zechariah (Luke 1:13-14). Then Elizabeth's baby "leaped for joy" to the greeting from Mary (Luke 1:44). The wise men "filled with joy" after the star had stopped where the baby was born (Matthew 2:10). The women were "filled with great joy" after they learned the resurrection of Jesus (Matthew 28:8). Also, disciples were " filled with joy and wonder" after Jesus was lifted from their eyes and ascended to his Father (Luke 24:41).

As we can see from these incidents, Joy has the character of awakening. Joy comes as sudden; it surprises in nature and it is arising to the fullness. No wonder the psalms says, “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning (Psalm 30:5).” Troubles and trails may linger, but God has promised a surprising joy.  Tomorrow isn’t always the next day; tomorrow is a mystery and rests in the salvific correlation of God grace.
Take Israel for example after 70 years of exile. They remembered their experience and said, “It was like a dream come true when you freed us from our bondage and brought us back to Zion!” (Psalm 126). They could not believe their dark days have been expelled and the light of hope and the joy has prevailed. Therefore, joy comes on God’s own timing and not our own.

Paul encouraged Thessalonians to “Rejoice in the Lord always" (5:16).  But you may ask whether someone can rejoice when they are engulfed in life circumstances and can they rejoice always? Can we rejoice when our medical results return with surprising findings?  Can we rejoice when we live in fear and the virus is lurking around?  What about when we lose our loved ones? Can we rejoice when we are in the hospital beds? Can we rejoice when health condition persists?

Paul seems to affirm his statement. That, yes, we can find hope and still rejoice. That we should not be mortified, confounded, and subdued by circumstance in our lives.  Yet, let us not take Paul wrong and misunderstand his point. Paul does not suggest that we should be joyful, and thankful FOR our hardships and troubles. However, he encourages us, that IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, we remain confidence in God’s promise. For Paul, our joy does not depend on the changes of the weather, or in the absence of troubles, or on our best wishes, our gain or wants.
Our joy is grounded on Christ, the giver and sustainer of our life. "Christians have grounds for joy in both their experience of salvation and their hope of what will do in the future, but they need to express that joy; there is a right and proper place for the expression of joyful emotion." Howard Marshall

Jesus prayed that the disciples “may have [his] joy made complete in themselves" (John 17:13). Also, Joy is one of Jesus' be attitudes. He encouraged the disciples to rejoice when enduring circumstance for righteousness. "Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven" (Matthew 5:11-12).

Therefore, in any situation, “Let joy be your continual feast.  Make your life a prayer. And in the midst of everything be always giving thanks, for this is God’s perfect plan for you in Christ Jesus.” God’s will for you and I is to have confidence in his promise, deliverance, and gift of a savior.  We are call to the life of discernment as we walk by faith and guided by the power of the Holy Spirit. With this determination we are able " to hold fast to what is good", what is encouraging and sustaining (1 Thess. 5:19-22).

John the Baptist gave a great testimony and help his audience to look toward Jesus as the promised lamb of God, the Messiah, the light sent to expel darkness of every life. He proclaimed and said, “For the Light of Truth was about to come into the world and shine upon everyone.” The NIV translate this verse in a present perfect conditional tense. This means the incident has present effect and we see the result as we speak. "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it" (John 1:5). The event of the light has taken place and the effect is seen in the present real life.
 
As we observe the season of joy and anticipating the birth of the infant Jesus, John the Baptist calls us to know Jesus as the gift of God for our darkness. With Jesus' coming, we will find purpose of life in him. We will not sit in our own darkness and will not carry our own burdens. Christ will heal us and carry our worries as we welcome him into our hearts. Like the people of Zebulun and those of Naphtali, we have been sitting for too long in hopelessness. Yet on Christmas and through the birth of Jesus, we will see and receive the light of hope and death will be no more after Jesus defeated death on Easter morning (Matthew 4:14-16).

God will finally bring forth his promise to remain in and with us. "The Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 ቃልም ሥጋ ሆነ ጽጋንና እዉነትንም ተሞልቶ በእኛ አደረ... Christians, even now as we speak, feel the presence of this word as the indwelling power the Holy spirit. The word teaches, guides, and exhort us in our Christian living. He is our hope and bring our joy to its fullness.
Therefore, let your joy remain stable and always; remember each other in our prayers and be thankful to God for the gift of love to the world.  Remember each and every one in your prayers so that your joy remains stable. Paul did not see himself higher over the Thessalonians, but he too, asked his followers to pray for him. As William Barclay said, “It is a wonderful thing that the greatest saint of them all should feel that he was strengthened by the prayer of the humblest Christians.”  

After she was told by the angel that her cousin Elizabeth was in her 6th month pregnancy, Mary did not deny her need to go visit her. Elizabeth had passed through the impossible and Mary saw the need to go talk to her and learn from her. Remember that there is always a friend, a relative, a church member or a neighbor who has gone through your pain and valley of your life. This encourages us that we should talk about, pray with others.   
Most importantly, let us remember to spread joy, to make him known and proclaim that God has given the greatest gift to the world. Soon this baby of Bethlehem will challenge the world order, disperse religious egos, and proclaim God's salvation that is obtained only by faith and reconcile us to God.

​Therefore, rejoice, pray, and give thanks always, knowing that it is the outpouring will of God for us as Christians. God will maintain your joy in trials until the appearing of our Lord Jesus.  Remember that, "the one who calls you by name is trustworthy and will thoroughly complete his work in you"(1 Thessalonians 5:24). Amen!
 

​Today, the gospel of Mark brings a BIZARRE STORY about a man for the Second Sunday of Advent. While Isaiah spoke of this man as a "voice crying in the wilderness," the gospel of Mark identifies this person as John the Baptist. His story sounds strange to us today in many ways. First, John made his living in the wilderness and lived with wild animals. He was eating Locusts and wild honey for his diet. Lastly, John wore Camel's skin to cover himself—sounds primitive!
Both passages bring to us the message of readiness in our calling, comfort in our weariness, deliverance in weakness, and peace in our distress and hope in our sorrows. Isaiah comforted Israel in the Babylonian exile, promising deliverance from God. That God has forgiven his people and now it is time for God to accomplish his divine purpose by taking his people back to their promised land. That the messenger has been discharged to "break the good news" of restoration to his people.
The gospel message speaks of John the Baptist, who did not desire to live in a big mansion, a nice house, or even in a tent. He was not interested in eating hamburgers, fries, and chicken sandwiches. There were no hot wings for an appetizer nor chocolate chip cookies for dessert. Yet, even in his uncomfortable situation, John was ready for the purpose to "break the news of the coming of the Messiah." He proclaimed a message of repentance, forgiveness and return to God.
You may ask whether John had indeed eaten Locusts? The Answer is a BIG YES!   John the Baptist "ate Locusts and wild honey."  Eating Locusts may sound disgusting. However, Locusts were the prefect diet for John the Baptist.  And YES, John did not wear a suit, or even a T-shirt, but what he wore were clothes made of a camel skin and his belt was made from fresh leather. This too, sounds uncivilized.
John was ready and he had all the equipment for the task. The Camel skin helped protect him from the severe heat of the wilderness and the leather belt supported his back as he walked long ways. Honey has antioxidants and Locust has protein to build up strength.
Yes, it seems primitive for us today in the 21st century.  For ancient Israel, Locust was the type of insect allowed by Mosaic law in the Torah-extract. "Every flying insect that uses four legs for walking shall be avoided by you. The only flying insects with four walking legs that you may eat are those which have knees extending above their feet, [using this longer leg] to hop on the ground. Among these you may only eat members of the red locust family, the yellow locust family, the spotted gray locust family, and the white locust family. All other flying insects with four feet [for walking] must be avoided by you." Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan, ohr.edu: (Ask the Rabbi April 30, 1994, Issue #19)
How does Locust taste? Served as Kosher snacks, many people say Locusts tastes like chicken with a crunchy texture. This may not surprise you either. Take Africa for example, different kinds of insects are eaten by different ethnic groups all over Africa.  As anthropologists/sociologists would say, the beauty of a culture/tradition is in the eyes of the beholder.   
Therefore, eating Locusts for John was normal. He was content with his lifestyle (Philippians 4:12-13). Even if his food and clothing seem uncomforting, John was buckled-up and was at peace with himself while in the wilderness. He was ready for the task given from God. And at the right time, John was discharged to remind people, exhort them, and call Israel to repent and return to God, the God of their fathers. He called for a new life in Israel.   He led a simple life but was equipped to deliver a message from God.
John appeared, in the wilderness after 400 plus years of God's silence since the prophet Malachi.  In those four hundred years, people had lost the meaning of life and tended to wander toward other gods. Yet, Jehovah Adonai raised up a prophet to restore the fortune of Israel and bring back the nation to its path.
John the Baptist had the Spirit and zeal of the prophet Elijah as it was promised by prophet Malachi, saying, "Behold, I will send you the prophet Elijah before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes"  (Malachi 4:4) (Luke 1:17). John came to draw attention to God. He was a hairy man like Elijah, “a hairy man, with a leather belt around his waist” (2 Kings 1:8). Elijah was a miracle worker, a messenger who encountered King Ahab and his wife. He prayed and there was no rain in Israel for three years because people chose to worship Baal over the God of Israel. After three years, Elijah defeated queen Jezebel and the prophets of Baal. He destroyed the worship of Baal at Mount Carmel and led the people back to worship Yahweh (1 Kings 18).
One more thing, in the ancient days, there were no microphones, emails, Facebook, Tik-Tok, snapchat etc. to help spread their message to people. The messengers had to go around on foot announcing the message from one location to another, so that people could hear them. They used their voices to call attention to their message. A message could be a King's edict, public announcement for a special meeting or a call for war. People would go out to listen to a prophet.
I remember back in Africa when a messenger would walk round my village from one location to another. He would repeat the message twice and people close to the road would ask him questions for a better understanding. Then when the messengers voice or the trumpet does not sound for the next five minutes, it would be understood that everyone had received the message. But people would continue asking others about the announcement. At that point, everyone was assumed to receive the message and was tasked to pass on the message.   
 This is similar with John’s experience in ancient Israel. People kept pouring in to listen to John because the message has been passed on from one person to another. It was done by human-to-human connection!
 God's promise was fulfilled in the coming of John the Baptist (Malachi 3:1; Isaiah 40:3). John was a long-promised messenger who came to prepare the way for Christ's coming. When John emerged from the wilderness, people were interested to see, hear, and even talk to him (Mark 1:7).
Like Elijah, John asked people to repent and chose to live a life fit for repentance. His Baptism was for the change of hearts to God—as making a "U" turn when you take a wrong exit. His message was meant to remind people of forgiveness and reconciliation.  He compared this newness or change as to constructing a highway, where the valleys are filled-in and the hills made low. He called upon everyone to make such radical change, so that the whole world shall see the glorious salvation of God. A World at peace where everyone cares for one another.
John made it clear, that the Messiah will be "baptizing with the Holy Spirit and fire, meaning people will be baptized into Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. As with fire, means everyone will be made accountable and responsible for their act of faith. He called people out of Jerusalem, back to the wilderness at the Jordan river. For many people, we may think John had lost his mind by asking people to leave behind their comfortable life. But this was the prophetic model. Elijah too, had called queen Jezebel and his people out to Mount Carmel. There, Baal was defeated, and people entered the city with the rain pouring after three years of drought. 
Here, John recreated Israel's entry to the promised land and to Jerusalem. Remember, Jordan was the last River the Israelites had to cross when entering the promised land.  During the first entry, Joshua called out leaders and elders of the 12 tribes and laid stones to help crossover to the new land.    
Now John symbolized this event. By his call to baptism in the Jordan river, John the Baptist signified the spiritual re-entry to the promised land. It was calling for a new partnership with God and made people ready to receive the promised Messiah. He tasked people to go and "break the good news" they had just received. He made it clear all-along to people, that he was not the Messiah. But he was the forerunner in the preparation for the coming of the promised One.  
I can go on and on with a literal background of this rich story. But let us turn to what it means to us today. First the location of John's activities presents a challenge to the temple practice, temple goers without real change and life of faith. His message exhorts us to virtue and righteousness. He demands purity of heart, repentance of guilt and forgiveness. This too, is a call for us today to step out of our comfort zones in our ministry.
Second, John calls us for renewal; Isaiah invites us to partner with God during this advent. As Israel returned to God when years of exile ended, we too, are reminded of the drawing near of the light of hope. We are called out to accept the message of God with pure hearts. The voice is calling us to the church outside, beyond the building walls. In every advent season we begin a new journey with God, reminded of our experiences in the wilderness of life circumstances. In his journey, the Lord assures us of his presence. On Christmas, Hope of new life is born again in our hearts. Yeshua, the savior confirms his indwelling among us—as Emmanuel—God with us!   
Third, as John put on his full armor of God, we are asked to do the same at this time as we journey through Advent.  You and I are demanded to "fasten the belt of truth" and "put on the breastplate of righteousness" and break the good news of God's grace (Ephesians 6:10-17).  As John asked his attendees, the Lord asks us today to empty ourselves and to "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law (Romans 13:13).
Fourth, we are strengthened and comforted in our darkness of life.  "Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins" (Isaiah 40:1-2). This season, the Lord is taking us back to his intended purpose. He assures us of forgiveness, and the gracious gift of salvation—it is accomplished through Christ!  Our hope in Advent "…is not grounded in the possibilities we can see in the human community, but in the faithfulness of God that is not conditioned by human frailty or fickleness" Charles B Cousar.
Fifth, God is doing something new in our wilderness as we are reminded of our Baptism. God speaks anew into the silence and desolation of our lives when we repent, listen, and recognize his voice. The Lord brings assurance and solidarity to us—God is always faithful to his promises.
Take our current situation for example. We long for a time where everyone is set free; where no mask is required; where everyone will talk to a family member, a friend, or a coworker freely without being cautious of contracting the virus. This time is like the time of the exiles to whom the message of deliverance was first broken. They were anticipating a day when they would all be set free and enjoy peace at last.
It is the same for us today during this season. We are all exhausted, mentally, emotionally, and weary spiritually and hope for a new day. We are anticipating Christ's birth. God's promise of care and concern for you, resonates in a special way this year. “Like a shepherd the Lord will take care of his people. He will gather his children.  He carries them in his arms and leads nursing mothers through the long journey of the desert… " (Isaiah 40:11). 
Therefore, as Israelites were tasked to prepare a road for the coming of Yahweh, now we are informed to make our hearts ready. The human heart is the center of our change. It is the temple of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  From our hearts the spring of life and the living water flows (Prov. 4:23; John 7:38).  In this season, make peace, love one another, take care of the poor, and feed the needy. In that, God comes and indwells in our hearts and makes his living in our midst. Then we will be blessed with the gifts of compassion, forgiveness, care toward others and building unity with our neighbors.    
Sixth, the work of evangelism is to show God and newness where none seemed possible. As messengers of the good news, we are dispatched to speak, break the news (mĕbaššēr"/ መስበር) loudly and clearly calling people to be at peace, stable and ready in these trying times. You are called to break the news of the new season where light shines through the dense darkness and shall not be overcome. A message of breakthrough, that gives future for those who have no future. Let us acquire a passion for the gospel message and bring comfort to the brokenhearted, of assurance of peace and a promising future.
Lastly, let us be content with our lives and run the race of faith as we prepare to receive the newborn Messiah (Philippians 4:12-13). May Christ find a space in our hearts on Christmas Day, where our spiritual exile ends, the darkness of our circumstances is dispelled and the drought of our desire for peace yields to springs of water of blessings through Christ. Life begins anew, whole, safe, protected. Everything comes anew after hearing the good news proclaimed and acting on it. As we are reminded of our Baptism, know that we are renewed, revived and "…everything old [left behind]; everything becomes new! (2 Corinthians 5:17).  
Therefore, let us be ready and prepare our hearts for Christ’s return as a Baby born in Bethlehem. Let us welcome the Messiah and proclaim ["mĕbaššēr"] the good news to everyone. Peace to you and to the whole world!  
  

Mark 13:25-37; 1 Corinthians 1;3-0
First Sunday in Advent November 29, 2020

It is the first Sunday in Advent Season. A time of expectation, waiting and watchfulness.  A time of prayer for hope, peace, joy, and love as the dawning light of the promised child approaches. This time of the year, once again, we feel the urgency to prepare for Jesus’ coming on Christmas day. So, let me ask you. How are you feeling in the wait? Are you anxious? Are you sitting or standing? How you wait matters.

Many people think that our tradition might have changed the concept and the doctrine of Advent and Christmas. This sounds convincing to me. Because narrowing down the Advent season to only four weeks’ counting in our culture, seems to shade the whole meaning of the season. Advent becomes more secular and money-oriented, as everyone buys Christmas gifts for loved ones. Then Advent becomes a four week and Christmas as onetime event every year. Also, church seems to pause from the watching and waiting when Christmas is left behind.

However, Jesus reminds us today and calls us to watchfulness and to be alert as we wait for his return (Mark 13:24–37). This means we are to observe the three phases of advent: The first advent (Jesus is born in Bethlehem), (the everyday Advent), the resurrected and the now present Jesus, and the Second Advent (the ascended and the returning King Jesus).  If the scripture is true, then, any time before and beyond the season of Advent, is considered as the season of anticipation for the church. Our faith journey and everyday life is part of the Advent Season.  

Our gospel today calls our attention to the Second coming of Jesus, not as a baby, but as a judge and King. King Jesus, as we learned last Sunday, will return with a multitude of angels. He will sit on his glorious throne and separate the sheep from the goat. “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.” (Matthew 25:31-46)
Jesus talks about his second coming and I agree it doesn’t sound promising.  But let us remember that, there is no first Advent without the Second Advent. “By the same token, confidence in the Second Advent is possible only when the church recollects the fulfilment of the first advent” says Charles B. Cousar.

The old testament refers to this day as “the day of the Lord” and our passage today is dense with OT quotations. The prophets: Joel, Isiah, Jeremiah, Micha, Malachi, Daniel, etc. refer to this day as sudden, beyond our control and our predictions. The day of “tumult and trampling and terror,” a day of battering down walls, a day of tribulation, it’s filled with darkness and awful crisis. Therefore, the prophets called the people of Israel to be prepared and be ready if they wish to be spared from the judgment of the Lord (Malachi 3:16-18). “Who can endure the day of his coming?” Malachi asked.  This, indeed, doesn’t look like the day of Advent we are waiting for this season.

Like many of you, I would love to hear a more promising message this season as we are battling the Coronavirus pandemic. We can relate the Second Advent to our current situation and the hope for a vaccine. We are hopeful, as the news has been reporting that, soon, the scientists will deliver a vaccine to help contain the virus. But the vaccine will not help those who are not willing to be vaccinated. Only those who receive vaccination will have confidence in the protection of the vaccine, they will feel secure in the face of the virus.  They will be careful but not fearful and terrified, even if there would be a third wave of the virus.

This is true with the Second Coming of Jesus for those who believe. The PCUSA doctrine of the Christ’s Second coming affirms this fact. This statement correlates to my theme for this first Sunday of Advent. That “The doctrine of Christ’s Second Advent is not intended to terrify. Rather, it is aimed at motivating faithfulness in time of tedium as well as in times of crisis. Believing in Jesus’ certain return provides encouragement when life seems purposeless or when evil seems to be too powerful to overcome. Rather than being anxious and pessimistic, God’s people trust hopefully and live joyfully because in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God has revealed the divine purpose of well-being for all.”  Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
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What an affirmative statement! I must stop here, I guess. This doctrinal statement says-it-all and provides us with the facts of the Second Advent. Besides its awfulness, the Second Advent comes with rewards for those who believe. It provides healing and enlightens hope: The day of the Lord comes with hope and healing. Malachi says, “for you who revere [the name of the Lord], the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves.” Malachi 4:2. The day of the Lord, will elevate the desire for relationship. The Lord will appear to those who desire life, open their hearts, confess their trespasses, and repent from their past. This process is compared to a process of refinery and washing with fuller’s soap. Then, the Lord they are seeking will come to the temple of their hearts and made a covenantal relationship. (Malachi 3:1-3). And it brings New life and new beginning: The day of the Lord brings final restoration of God’s people to God’s Kingdom.  And the dwelling of God is with men and God will live with them and be their King and their light forever (Rev. 21:3; Micah 4:1-2).

Therefore, “anticipation of Christ’s return enables us to enter this struggle as vigorously as if it were the eve of the last day. It exists in us as an expectation that God continues to redeem the world.” Charles Wiley. Charles tells us the truth if I read that correctly. That we should live our lives as if we are in the eve of the day of the Second Advent. Jesus also cautioned us on how we are awaiting the second coming. He encourages us to be alert and patient because how we wait matters.

They said there was a man at one of the packed Delta ticket counters in one of our airports:

All of ticket agents were doing their best to politely process each passenger as quickly as they could. Toward the end of the snaking line was a passenger obviously impatient and very frustrated at having to wait so long in the slow-moving line. He finally decided to march right up to the counter and demanded that he be given a boarding pass. The ticket agent turned, looked at him, blinked, took a shallow, deep breath and said, "sir, as you can see there are many passengers ahead of you. We are doing our best to process the passengers as fast as we can. I'm afraid you'll have to get back in line." Outraged and red in face, the man yelled at the ticket agent saying, "do you know who I am!!!? The ticket agent turned, looked at him, blinked, took another shallow, deep breath, picked up the public address system microphone and said calmly, "There is a man at the Delta ticket counter who does not know who he is.  Anyone who may be able to identify this man is asked to please step forward and identify him. Thank you." (5jokes)

How are your feelings in your waiting? Are you getting frustrated?  Many of us are impatient like the that man at the Delta counter and think that the end is getting further away. We submit to the deceit of our emotions which unconsciously are burnt out, like the "not-wise" virgins in parable of Matthew 25 :1-13. Then we forget "who we are." Some of us lose hope and stop moving in the line of faith; some of us want to skip the line overall and start to speculate about when the day of the Lord will come. Some of us become skeptics and reluctant when we are pressured by life circumstances. For this reason, Jesus warns us to “learn a lesson from the fig tree,” and be aware of and alert, and watchful because—the Second coming is “unknown and Sudden.” It comes with no warning and no one predicts it. Beware of the false teachers who will lead you astray from the truth, Jesus said.  

The Scriptures do not deny the side-effects of the long waiting. We are informed that with the long wait, we will be facing numerous challenges. There will be:

1. Forgetfulness—but Peter encourages us to take a deep breath and “not forget this one thing…:  With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.” 2 Peter 3:8-9
2. Ignorance and reluctance— Jesus energized us and compared the Day of the Lord with the time of Noah when people “were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings…” They didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood   swept them all away and saved few (Matthew 24:37-39)
3. Skeptics/Skepticism—Many think the Lord has taken too long and won’t come again, saying “everything has remained the same since the world was first created.” Yet Peter helps us to understand the mystery, that Jesus’ slow coming is for our own sake (2 Pet.3:3-4) 
4. Mockers and scoffers: We are warned to be aware and stay away from anti-Christ who will mislead believers “scoffing and indulging their own lusts" not God’s purpose (2 Peter 3:1-3).
5. Impatient or sluggishness—Paul encourages us to keep up with our own daily lives and not to just wait for the Second coming. He also warned us of impatience. He exhorted Thessalonians to aspire to lead their lives in an exemplary manner as they wait (2 Thessalonians 2: 1-3).

To help us understand better, Jesus compares the Second coming to a fellow who went on a long trip. Leaving his home, the man gave his slaves an instruction how to take care of the house. And to his gatekeepers he told them to keep watching for his return, because no one knows when he would return. Therefore, “Don’t let him find you sleeping when he arrives without warning. I say to you what I say to everyone: Watch for him!” (Mark 13:34-37).

The Son of Man, the owner of the house, the church, is coming back!  He warns the church and the members to be alert. His warning helps us to avoid being trapped in what I termed the five Side-effects of waiting. You are advised to be alert but hopeful in his return.  Yet, let us remember that, "Advent is neither a time of silly optimism nor an invitation to self-indulgent despair, nor even a hope built on the shaky foundations of experience. It is the hope, the only hope worth having, hope for the confidence that translates our dangerous impatience into expectant living in the here and now. It is the hope that aspires toward the future that is in God and for which the farmer is the example." Everett C. Goodwill.

However, the loving God did not leave us empty-handed in this waiting. God has blessed us with hope that rests on the conviction that we are destined for life-eternity, not for his wrath and destruction. God has enriched us with the blessing of heavens: we belong to Christ; God equips us with discernment and knowledge; he sanctified believers through the blood of Christ.  Paul assured us of God’s promise, saying, "God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord (1 Cor. 1:9).
Therefore, know that you are called to help one another by utilizing your gifts and offer encouragement to make everyone strong in faith as we keep watching and anticipating Christ’s Second Coming. Whether Jesus comes as a baby, on Christmas Day, or now as he is present in the Holy Spirit,  or when he comes as King to judge and reward the elect, you and I are warned to wait and be watchful!  Remember that “we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth [the Lord] has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness (2 Peter 3:13).

ADVENT IS HERE!

Maranatha, Lord!
We pray for Hope 
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