HEADS HELD HIGH (AUDIO)

Last Sunday Pastor Rolly encouraged us to have hope in the midst of the troubles and difficulties of life as we wait for the return of Jesus. Our follow-up message this Sunday is based on Luke 21:25-36 with the theme: “Heads held high.”

This week we begin the season of Advent, with its important emphasis on preparing our hearts to celebrate the coming of our Saviour Jesus at Christmas. Verse 28 of our text speaks directly to that when it says: “When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

What are some of the practical ways that we can prepare spiritually for Christmas? Our answer to that will centre around the following three key words of Waiting, Praying, and Hoping.

(1) Waiting is about being alert. To wait effectively, we need to slow down. We need to be quiet enough to listen. At this time of year, everything is rush, rush, rush. But that’s precisely why we need to intentionally step away from all that and find a place to slow down, catch our breath, and quietly reflect.

(2) This waiting leads us into praying. In verse 36 we read: “Be always on the watch, and pray …”  The bottom line is that we prepare best for Christmas by spending time reading the Bible and in prayer. Listening to God’s promises and trusting in them is a core part of us preparing spiritually to celebrate Christmas.

(3) Such waiting and praying, lays the foundation for us approaching Christmas with great hope. We can face the many troubles and challenges that life throws up at us, with confidence and hope because we know that Jesus is with us every step of the way. As his name “Immanuel” reminds us, Jesus is “God with us.”

Knowing all that, we can joyfully raise our heads high, absolutely confident in the goodness of God: knowing that God loves us, that he forgives us, that he accepts us and embraces us with his grace and mercy.

Come along and join us in confessing and celebrating that truth, as we embark on our journey together in celebrating the coming of Jesus to save us at Christmas.

God bring you joy!
Pastor Richard Haar