What do we want for Christmas?

• Second Sunday of Advent, the Candle of PEACE

on Mark 1:1-8 and Isaiah 40:1-11 and 2 Peter 3:8-15.

Communion Sunday

www.FirstChurchBville@gmail.com  @FirstUMCBville  @kerrfunk

• What do people want for Christmas?

Children:
(Spike Jones 1947, two front teeth)
(Gayla Peevey 1953, Hippopotamus)

Little more technological today... phone, video game, music.

Perhaps the economically challenged want
to provide food and clothing, or shelter if they lack.

Those who are ill or have ill loved ones...
They want wellness, quality time...

Amy Grant, Grown-Up Christmas List
(words by Linda Thompson-Jenner)
No more lives torn apart,
that wars would never start,
and time would heal all hearts
Everyone would have a friend,
and right would always win,
and love would never end...
This is my grown-up Christmas list.

Protesters want sense of justice, end to systemic racism, oppression, a la MLKjr's I Have A Dream speech (not be judged by the color of the skin but by the content of their character) (1963)

• Gospel of Mark begins with a voice calling out,
and people responding.
Why did they respond? They wanted something,
something that John the Baptist was offering.
They ventured into the wilderness because of
the hope for forgiveness of sins.
Repentance. Baptism.
John was preparing for God to act in the world.

• Our Isaiah reading: people get ready, the dawn is coming,
the long suffering is over.

Our 2 Peter reading: aaaand we're still waiting,
but the wait will be worth it.
Be blameless and patient.

• What do we want for Christmas?

Sense of BELONGING.
Community. Family. (gospel: you're in the family!)

Sense of SECURITY.
No fear of destruction / oppression /
injustice / hunger (Isaiah: it's coming!)

PEACE. In our cities, nation, world, homes, hearts.
(Isaiah: It's coming!)

Meanwhile Paul, Philippians 4:13 (I can do all things)
verses 11-12: I have learned how to be content in any circumstance. I know the experience of being in need and of having more than enough; I have learned the secret of being content in any and every circumstance, whether full or hungry or whether having plenty or being poor. I can endure all these things through the power of the one who gives me strength.

(& Paul goes on to encourage generous living)

• Christ came into our darkness, and brings belonging and security and peace,

and sustains us if we'll have it...

• Hymn In the Breaking of the Bread / into Communion

Mark 1:1-8 Common English Bible (CEB)

1 The beginning of the good news about Jesus Christ, God’s Son, 2 happened just as it was written about in the prophecy of Isaiah:

Look, I am sending my messenger before you.He will prepare your way,
3 a voice shouting in the wilderness:
        “Prepare the way for the Lord;
        make his paths straight.”

4 John the Baptist was in the wilderness calling for people to be baptized to show that they were changing their hearts and lives and wanted God to forgive their sins. 5 Everyone in Judea and all the people of Jerusalem went out to the Jordan River and were being baptized by John as they confessed their sins. 6 John wore clothes made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey. 7 He announced, “One stronger than I am is coming after me. I’m not even worthy to bend over and loosen the strap of his sandals. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”