All posts by knoxalliston

December 18th, 2022

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The First Noel: Advent 4

Isaiah 60: 1 “Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.”

On the fourth Sunday of Advent, we will focus on God’s love and the time when three kings visited Jesus and played an important role in ‘The First Noel’.

December 11th, 2022

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The First Noel: Advent 3

Isaiah 35: 10 “And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”

Have you ever received, “Good news of great joy”? What was your reaction? Did you run to tell someone, did you do a happy dance, did you have a celebration? Ultimately, the Christmas story is about joy. Those who had first-hand experience in the First Noel like Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds may have been anxious and afraid at first, but in the end with the birth of Jesus, they were filled with joy. Joy is that overwhelming sense that everything will be okay. Joy is believing that what is wrong will be made right. Joy is celebrating that hope and peace and love will triumph over everything else. In this Christmas season, may we too be filled with great joy!

 

December 4th, 2022

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The First Noel: Advent 2

Isaiah 11: 1-2 “A shoot shall come out from the stock of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.”

During this busy time of year, we often lack a spirit of peace. We are often stressed about getting everything done: the shopping, the baking, the wrapping, the visiting, etc… The first Christmas was not a peaceful time either. Under Roman rule, the people of Israel were looking for a Saviour. Little did they know that one night in a small town, God would come to the world and be born Jesus, the Prince of Peace. With the spirit of the Lord resting upon him, Jesus would change the world in unexpected and surprising ways, ushering in a new kingdom of peace and love.