For the past several weeks we have been enjoying a murder mystery series. It was a short series and as the last episode aired all the loose ends were tied up and the mystery was solved. Like a good mystery, there were lots of plot twists, red herrings, and interesting characters. Much like life this past year! Except that life is real!
This past Sunday was the culmination of the church year. Christ the King Sunday signifies that Christ is the King of all! He is King of the universe! King of my life, and hopefully yours! One of my favorite hymns (I do have many!) is appropriate for this special day. It also is appropriate as we look toward next week when Advent and the new church year begins!
REJOICE, THE LORD IS KING – text by Charles Wesley
Rejoice, the Lord is King;
Your Lord and King adore!
Rejoice, give thanks and sing
And triumph evermore.
Lift up your heart;
Lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
This week is full of activity! Preparing for Thanksgiving and then the first Sunday of Advent! In my life, this has probably been the craziest, and most difficult, year ever. But it has not been without blessing and growth. Even through the greatest challenges, it has been so obvious that God is leading, shaping, loving, guiding, and directing our steps. As I look back at pictures and short videos that remind me of what Glenn and I have experienced this year I am reminded how we have learned to trust Him more. Every ‘little’ victory has encouraged us to lean into His loving arms even more and praise Him for each new day. These have been the signs that God is present even in our struggles. And through it all, we have arrived at our 40th anniversary! How we praise God for that!
The last verse of the hymn I see as the transition between seasons. The first week of Advent is about HOPE. The HOPE of the prophets who foretold that a Messiah would come. Our HOPE that He will come again, soon! We will light candles as symbols that remind us of this glorious HOPE!
Rejoice in glorious hope!
Our Lord, the Judge shall come
And take his servants up
To their eternal home.
Lift up your heart;
Lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say rejoice!
This week, as we gather with family and friends around tables full of good food, we give thanks to Almighty God for His amazing gift, His Son who came to save us from our sin and offer a way to eternal life with Him. We also give thanks for His constant abiding and provision in our lives.
One more favorite to share with you as you gather this week…
NOW THANK WE ALL OUR GOD – text by Martin Rinkart
Now thank we all our God,
With heart and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things hath done,
In whom the world rejoices;
Who, from our mothers’ arms,
Hath blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love,
And still is our today.
O May this bounteous God
Through all our life be near us,
With ever-joyful hearts
And blessed peace to cheer us;
And keep us in His grace,
And guide us when perplexed,
And free us from all ills
In this world and the next.
Shalom!
P.S. For each of the Sundays in Advent I will be sending out links and reminders on how to find videos for each week to aid you in lighting the candles and explaining the significance of each week. There will also be short, fun, videos posted for each of the 12 Days of Christmas!
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