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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Happy New Year! I know we’re barely past Thanksgiving and Christmas is still a few weeks away. But the first Sunday in Advent is – the first Sunday in the church year. “Happy New Year!”
The new church year begins with Advent, a season of waiting for the coming of Christ and the hope He brings. For many, the focus of their waiting is Christmas. However, for Christians, we know Jesus has already been born. What are we waiting for? His return. As we wait, we hope. In His return, Jesus will deliver on the hopes Christians have had, and still have, since He ascended into heaven (Acts 1:6-11). We live in hope, knowing He’ll return to bring all who believe Him into His kingdom forever.
As we wait in hope, we live our lives in the world of today. And this time of year, many of us will get a glimpse of the thing we hope for – our reunion with all the saints from across all time on the day of Jesus’ return. The reunions with family and friends are being planned just like the reunion with the Thessalonians Paul speaks of, “What thanksgiving can we return to God for you … that we may see you face to face …” (1 Thessalonians 3:9-10)
Paul isn’t speaking only of an earthly reunion here. Though that is part of his “longing” … He’s looking forward to the final and eternal reunion too saying, “May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all … that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints.” (1 Thessalonians 3:12-13)
And so, we wait in hope trusting God’s promises, knowing Jesus – born over 2000 years ago – will return to save us. As we wait, let us help others to believe in Jesus too … that when He does return we’ll see Him and all our loved ones again – face-to-face. Happy New Year!
In God’s Peace,
Pastor Jim