Our Advent theme this year is “A Savior Made Known.” On this third Sunday in Advent we celebrate through Zechariah’s song (the Benedictus) that God has sent his messenger, John, to prepare the way of the Lord. Zechariah proclaims that God is making his covenant promises through the ages come true in “the rising sun,” Jesus. May we join in Zechariah’s praise: Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them.”
Our Advent theme this year is “A Savior Made Known.” On this second Sunday in Advent we celebrate through Mary’s song (her Magnificat) the kind of king that is coming in Jesus: humble and merciful, performing great deeds and taking up the cause of the oppressed. Mary’s song brings together many of the themes in the Psalms and the Prophets to celebrate that God always does what he says. As we reflect on our Messiah, may our souls magnify the Lord along with Mary.
Our Advent theme this year is “A Savior Made Known.” On this first Sunday in Advent we celebrate the angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary that she would give birth to the Messiah. The long-awaited promised King from David’s line was coming! God was sending his promised Savior, and more than that, he would be called the Son of God. “For no word from God will ever fail!” May our hearts be filled with awe, joy, and hope as we celebrate Gabriel’s announcement coming true in our lives in real time.
“Forgive us our sins as we also forgive those who sin against us.” Jesus didn’t mince words explaining that we are required to forgive each other, but he also doesn’t say that God sits back passively waiting to forgive until we have earned it by forgiving others. God always takes the initiative in blessing and saving us. God forgives us freely, but at the highest cost to himself – the death of his own Son. The forgiveness God asks of us pales in comparison to the forgiveness he showers on us. May we forgive as we have been forgiven and love as we have been loved.