Advent

The advent, a countdown to the "coming" of Jesus Christ.  Today is the first day of the advent, and also the basis behind the message at our church today.  The advent now signifies the countdown to Christmas, a holiday known throughout most of the world.  With so many holidays that are celebrated over the globe, this one day has become the most recognized and most celebrated.  Why shouldn't it be so popular though?!  For all of those English majors out there, I was referring to Christmas. 

Companies of both foreign and American origin have worked very hard to ensure that commercialism rides the proverbial coat tails of such a popular holiday.  I am not opposed to blessing others with gifts on Christmas Day.  However, my fear is that the moral and ethical compass of society becomes even more skewed year after year because of the expectation of a gift.  Not just any gift either!  What ends up under, or near that tree, most often decides our mood for the day; a fact small children can't hide, and one that adults are embarrassed to admit.  There is the small percentage out there content with what Christmas morning will always fail to bring when materialistic motives makes up the core of our nature, love. 

The advent is the countdown to an awesome event, the birth of Jesus Christ. I am ending tonight with a glimpse into someone who had love for all mankind.  The verses below speak about Jesus' sacrifice, and were written long before he was ever born.  He expected no gifts, yet gave himself for all mankind. 


Isaiah 53:2-6

For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground;
he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him.
He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief;
and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.  Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.  But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.