FROM THE PASTOR
Advent and the Prophets
Today is Advent. This is the beginning of the new church year; so happy new year to you. Aren’t we blessed that we can say this twice a year? Most of us realise there are four Sundays of Advent – and notice we say “of advent” and not “in advent”? There are always four Sundays of Advent before Christmas Day, whether Christmas falls on a weekday or a Sunday – so Advent can begin in November or December.
More importantly, the word 'advent' means 'coming'. During this time we look forward to our Lord's coming as a human baby at Bethlehem and also to his final return as King at the end of time. We also remember, that Jesus continually comes to his people in his word and the sacraments. Advent is a time of waiting, preparing, and hoping and this involves both active repentance and joyful anticipation. Throughout this new church season, or new church year, I’m planning (where possible and practical) to teach and preach mostly on the Old Testament. The Old Testament readings through Advent revolve around the prophets. So rather than begin at the beginning (with Genesis), we’ll start where the Lectionary Bible readings for Year C will take us.
During Advent, the readings will be on the following Prophets, namely: Jeremiah, Malachi, Zephaniah, Micah and Isaiah. So let’s meet the Prophets beginning with Micah. We will hear from the Prophet Micah on the fourth Sunday of Advent (Micah 5:2-5a) (NB., the main theme running through the prophets is God’s promise to save, and God’s promise fulfilled).
The Prophet Micah.
Who? Micah was from the town of Moresheth (1:1) located in the foothills around 50 km’s SW of Jerusalem.
Date: During the reign of Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. Micah prophesied between 725 and 701 BC.
Themes: Micah (to the people of Judea) spoke to the social ills of his day, to the widespread injustice, most themes of the book revolve around the judgment and deliverance of God, announces the fall of Jerusalem and restoration of Zion, and foretold there will be salvation coming from a shepherd King.
To the devotional meditation for this month: Joseph and Mary went to the city of David; Bethlehem before the census took place (as recorded in Luke’s gospel). He went there because he was in the house and line of David. Joseph and Mary were both descendants of King David, and therefore so is Jesus – physically through Mary and legally as royalty through his foster father Joseph. Not only that – God promised this to King David, years prior. It was meant to be that Jesus be born in David’s home town of Bethlehem, as announced by the prophet Micah. So this fact become not just a historical account, but it was God’s own guarantee that Jesus was the promised Messiah – the redeemer of the world. And Jesus would be a warrior King, like King David, only winning a far greater battle than his ancestor won over the giant, Goliath. Jesus defeated sin, death and the devil himself, on behalf of us all. This happened when Jesus laid down his life on the cross when he paid the price of human sin, and rising from death to life. Well meet more prophets over this new year.
God’s peace be with you, and grant you a wonderful, safe Christmas this year.
We Pray For:
† All Christians, that like Mary they may believe the word that is spoken to them.
† That we don’t get too caught up in the material preparations for Christmas.
† Mothers and fathers who are expecting, for mothers who have lost children, and for those who want a child but have not been able to have one.
† Adoption agencies, orphanages, and those who take care of children.
† Peace among families gathering together at Christmas.
† Safe travels for all who are travelling during the Christmas period.
Today is Advent. This is the beginning of the new church year; so happy new year to you. Aren’t we blessed that we can say this twice a year? Most of us realise there are four Sundays of Advent – and notice we say “of advent” and not “in advent”? There are always four Sundays of Advent before Christmas Day, whether Christmas falls on a weekday or a Sunday – so Advent can begin in November or December.
More importantly, the word 'advent' means 'coming'. During this time we look forward to our Lord's coming as a human baby at Bethlehem and also to his final return as King at the end of time. We also remember, that Jesus continually comes to his people in his word and the sacraments. Advent is a time of waiting, preparing, and hoping and this involves both active repentance and joyful anticipation. Throughout this new church season, or new church year, I’m planning (where possible and practical) to teach and preach mostly on the Old Testament. The Old Testament readings through Advent revolve around the prophets. So rather than begin at the beginning (with Genesis), we’ll start where the Lectionary Bible readings for Year C will take us.
During Advent, the readings will be on the following Prophets, namely: Jeremiah, Malachi, Zephaniah, Micah and Isaiah. So let’s meet the Prophets beginning with Micah. We will hear from the Prophet Micah on the fourth Sunday of Advent (Micah 5:2-5a) (NB., the main theme running through the prophets is God’s promise to save, and God’s promise fulfilled).
The Prophet Micah.
Who? Micah was from the town of Moresheth (1:1) located in the foothills around 50 km’s SW of Jerusalem.
Date: During the reign of Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. Micah prophesied between 725 and 701 BC.
Themes: Micah (to the people of Judea) spoke to the social ills of his day, to the widespread injustice, most themes of the book revolve around the judgment and deliverance of God, announces the fall of Jerusalem and restoration of Zion, and foretold there will be salvation coming from a shepherd King.
To the devotional meditation for this month: Joseph and Mary went to the city of David; Bethlehem before the census took place (as recorded in Luke’s gospel). He went there because he was in the house and line of David. Joseph and Mary were both descendants of King David, and therefore so is Jesus – physically through Mary and legally as royalty through his foster father Joseph. Not only that – God promised this to King David, years prior. It was meant to be that Jesus be born in David’s home town of Bethlehem, as announced by the prophet Micah. So this fact become not just a historical account, but it was God’s own guarantee that Jesus was the promised Messiah – the redeemer of the world. And Jesus would be a warrior King, like King David, only winning a far greater battle than his ancestor won over the giant, Goliath. Jesus defeated sin, death and the devil himself, on behalf of us all. This happened when Jesus laid down his life on the cross when he paid the price of human sin, and rising from death to life. Well meet more prophets over this new year.
God’s peace be with you, and grant you a wonderful, safe Christmas this year.
We Pray For:
† All Christians, that like Mary they may believe the word that is spoken to them.
† That we don’t get too caught up in the material preparations for Christmas.
† Mothers and fathers who are expecting, for mothers who have lost children, and for those who want a child but have not been able to have one.
† Adoption agencies, orphanages, and those who take care of children.
† Peace among families gathering together at Christmas.
† Safe travels for all who are travelling during the Christmas period.