Fourth Sunday in Advent
Sunday, 18, December 2005
2 Samuel 7:[1-7]8-11,16
Romans 16:25-27
Luke 1:26-38
Psalm 98:1-2,4,7-9
Childrens' Sermon: Heidi quizzed the children about the facts about the nativity, rewarding them with candy.
Sermon: (Frank Eberhardt)
(Frank sings this song)
"Fret, worry and fus, it's almost here
And what will the day bring?
The wondrous joy of God's own Son?
Or fretting, worry, and fuss?
Or fretting, worry, and fuss?
Or fretting, worry, and fuss?
The wondrous joy or worry and fuss?"
What in God's name are you doing? Are you stuck with Christmas stress? God wants to give us His Spirit, but we might be too busy. Nativity is about Christ's relationship to David. Remember David? (Recounts events of the life of King David). David thought that God confined to a tent, but God didn't need it. God blessed David. He said that there would always be a throne of David. This is a messianic prophecy. Confusion would be turned to love and peace. The focus of Christmas is on God, not caring what other people in the congregation think about us.
(Pastor and congregation sing O Come, O Come, Immanuel).
Invite God in. If you don't have God, Christmas will end like it has every year, where you just sit down and sigh. Was it worth it? You'll ask yourself. If it was about love, you will say yes, and it was also about the messianic prophecies. God's love isn't seasonal. God is coming, and he will dwell with us in the flesh. This is a one size fits all gift.
(Pastor and congregation sing Jesus Was A Little Child).
Caesar didn't know that God was at work. God kept his promise, regardless of what Caesar did. God kept His promise. God promises to love and forgive, and to be with you, and he never breaks His promises.
(Pastor and congregation sing O Little Town of Bethlehem).
God has a sense of humor and irony. You can think of David any way you want, but Frank thinks of him as a scrawny kid. The strong brothers weren't chosen for the battle, but he was. God looks on the inside. David killed a bear and lions. Jesus also had courage. Maybe Jesus wasn't scrawny, but he fought death.
(Pastor and congregation sing To Shepherds as They Watched By Night).
God gives us stress relief, and a reality check.
(Pastor and congregation sing All Hail The Power Of Jesus' Name).