The Advent of the Lamb

“Advent” (from the Latin adventus) means “coming” or “arrival” and it refers to the season immediately before Christmas.The “first advent” looks back to Christ’s first coming. The “second advent” looks forward to Christ’s second coming. We live between these two advents. The season of Advent is far more than simply marking a 2,000 year old event in history. It is celebrating a truth about God, the revelation of God in the person and work of his son Jesus. It is because of Christ Jesus that the forgiveness of sins, the defeat of death and the reconciliation of of humanity and all of creation might be accomplished. The effects of Christ first coming set in motion a process in which we now participate with its full consummation yet to come in which we now anticipate. So much focus is usually given to the first coming of Jesus that we often forget or sadly even ignore his second Advent which will bring the fullness of all God promised. The doctrine of the second coming of Jesus Christ is one of the central doctrines of the Christian faith. Paul reminds us that when we come to take the bread and cup that we proclaim Christ death until he comes. And often in our liturgy for the Lord’s Supper we remind one another in our confession that “Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.” This statement of faith echoes both Scripture and the tradition of the early church. So, this Advent season we will be focusing on the Second Advent in our sermon series “The Advent of of the Lamb”. Having the joy of knowing about the first advent we live with the “second” advent looming on the horizon, and as we reflect on the meaning of the first advent we must prepare, we must “get ready” for the dawning of the second. Join us in this wonderful season of Advent as we remember and prepare for the Advent of the Lamb. Week 1 Rev 1:9-20 “An Advent Vision" Week 2 Rev 5 “Advent Peace” Week 3 Rev 12 “Advent Hope" Week 4 Rev 19:1-9 “Advent Joy" Week 5 Rev 21:1-6, “Advent Love”