Sermon Series Summary

There is a “time-bending” nature to the season of Advent. Advent means “coming,” and in this season we are reminded that we live in between Christ’s first coming in humility to a manger in Bethlehem from the womb of the Virgin Mary, and his second coming in glory from the right hand of his Father in heaven, when he will judge and make all things news. In the season of Christmas, we celebrate the fulfillment of God’s promises in the first advent of Christ: God’s kingdom has come! The long-awaited Saviour is here! In Christ, God has made his dwelling with us, defeating the powers of sin and death, and opening to us the way of eternal life and joy in his presence.

In Advent and Christmas, we will read the first two chapters of Luke’s Gospel. This will begin a longer sermon series where we will walk through this unique testimony to Jesus, the Saviour, and the Church that he builds. Luke is clear: the Gospel is not an accident of history. The birth of Jesus and his ministry in the world, which leads him to the cross and resurrection, is the fulfillment of God’s great redemptive plan, to seek and save his lost people, forgiving their sins and bringing them out of darkness into his kingdom of light and life. In Luke’s Gospel, no one is beyond the reach of God’s mercy in Christ – men and women, young and old, slave and free, rich and poor, the least, the last, and the lost – all are called to come and receive new life and a new family in and through Jesus, the Saviour.

The Collect for the Second Sunday in Advent:

Blessed Lord, who caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and the comfort of your holy Word we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.