Even before his ministry, the presence of the Messiah draws people of all peoples to come and worship. How much more now is it appropriate that the Gospel travels to the far corners of the earth, and that people in all parts of the world join us in praising the triune God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Very Soon Advent is almost complete, Jesus is coming soon! This Sunday in the fourth week of Advent, we hear Isaiah’s prophesy, and Joseph’s perspective of the virgin birth. The faith of both Mary and Joseph in the face of incredible proclamations are an inspiration to us in our walk with God. On Tuesday we celebrate Christmas Eve with a family service at 4 pm and a Candlelight and Harp service at 8 pm. Wednesday, Christmas Day we will celebrate again at 10 am and finish with cinnamon buns and coffee in the parish hall. Which brings us to another relevant, but entirely untheological point… We are moving back into the church! Today the pews were installed (not bolted down yet, but assembled and in place), the railing was added to the ramp, wainscoting and door casings were completed and the backdoor hardware was added. Tomorrow the church will be cleaned and Saturday afternoon we will move back into church. The rest of the renovations will be done Mondays through Fridays so that we can continue to worship in the church as it is completed over time. Many thanks to our architect and builder Salvatore Caruso and his assistant Navita Nirankari for excellent designs and implementation of these improvements. Praise God for all the grace filled moments that have helped this come together in time for Christmas.

“But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Matthew 24:36 This Thursday we give thanks to our Creator for all the blessings and provisions in our life and celebrate with family and friends. And on Friday, the Christmas Shopping Season begins with all of it’s pressures. But this Sunday is also the beginning of Advent and the beginning of a new Church year (Last week’s five baptisms was a great New Year’s Eve party!). Advent is a time to quiet our souls, to deepen our faith, and to follow Jesus more nearly as we anticipate both His birth and glorious return. We look forward to celebrating the Incarnation at Christmas, but our readings also look forward to the second coming of Christ which will come at an unexpected hour. How do we hold on to Advent in the midst of Christmas preparations? How do we hold on to a vision of eternity in the midst of the distractions and pressures of our time-bound lives?

If there is no justice in this world, then where is our just God? Resurrection and justice are tied together in many of our readings this week. When Job is afflicted without cause, and the wicked prosper despite their wickedness, how do we not despair? But if our Redeemer lives, if He attends to our cry, then there is access to justice, even if it is not accomplished in this lifetime. If He is our protection, our hiding place, then all is not lost. In our Gospel this week, the Sadducees, who don’t believe in the resurrection, and who therefore believe that all justice and redemption will be accomplished in this life, on this earth, try to show how confusing marriage laws become in the context of the resurrection. Jesus dismisses their argument by explaining that there is no marriage in Heaven. But beyond, this easy dismissal, Jesus’ insistence on the resurrection speaks to His upcoming resurrection and speaks as an answer to the horrific violence of the destruction of the temple shortly after his death. Despite the injustice of this life, the hope of the resurrection, and our experience of God’s presence, are core, not ancillary, to our life in Christ.