Sunday, November 28, 2010 Praying the Advent Season

Sunday, November 28

Candle Lighting: Come, Lord Jesus.

Opening Prayer:
Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come.
By your merciful protection
Save us from the threatening dangers of our sins and enlighten our walk in the ways of your salvation.

Today’s readings: ( all three provided for further reference)
Isaiah 2: 2-5, Romans 13: 11-14, Matthew 24: 36-44

Today’s featured lesson:
Isaiah 2:2-5 (New International Version, ©2010)
2 In the last days
the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established
as the highest of the mountains;
it will be exalted above the hills,
and all nations will stream to it.
3 Many peoples will come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,
to the temple of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us his ways,
so that we may walk in his paths.”
The law will go out from Zion,
the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
4 He will judge between the nations
and will settle disputes for many peoples.
They will beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation,
nor will they train for war anymore.
5 Come, descendants of Jacob,
let us walk in the light of the LORD.

Something new is being announced! About seven hundred years before the birth of Jesus, Isaiah has a vision of a new place for the presence of the Holy and one God. The new presence of the Lord in the new house will bring a new light into the world and by this light there will be no need for preparing for wars. If all the nations continue walking up the hill towards the light, towards the temple of Jerusalem, then they will walk together and live together within that light.
The mountain, the temple, the city are all center to the lives of all the nations. God is taking up residence in a new way and inviting the nations to a new way of living from that center.
This first Sunday of the Liturgical Year presents us with readings which ask us to make some “teaching-room” in our lives. Keep watching. Keep waiting.

“The Lord will shower his gifts and our land will yield its fruit.” Ps. 85, 13

Thanks to:The Lutheran Theological Seminary of Philadelphia, ELCA and http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/112810.html.


Our Savior Lutheran Church, Gatlinburg, TN

Called as God's People
Equipped by the Holy Spirit
Sent to boldly proclaim the love of Jesus Christ to all people.