Advent Sunday 2019

Sunday the 1st of December 2019

Reformed Church, Muri, Switzerland.

Psalm 24

Greetings to you from Sri Lanka and from the Anglican church. And the Ecumenical Institute of Bossey where I am studying.

I am happy to be here this Sunday, specially as we begin a season of advent today. Today we

also begin the last month of this year. I wonder if we are to reflect on the pasg 11months and

see how we have journeyed, what kind of experiences could we recollect. Have they all been

happy and good, have we had struggles and disappointments? Have we faced uncertainties?

While we recollect our own journeys when we look outside our own world's we can see that the world of others is different.

It is in such a background that we turn to Psalm 24. A psalm that reminds us of where are hope should be in every situation.

Psalm 24 is believed to be written by David when he brought the ark of the covenant into

Jerusalem. He calls upon the people to look at the king of glory. In the same manner during the season of Advent we are reminded to be in anticipation and prepare for the second coming of Jesus. 

Looking at this Psalm we can ask the question, who is this king of glory and what does his

coming mean.

First he is the creator and the owner of the earth. Which means we are all living in the

household of God. But at times we forget that the earth doesnt belong to us. If God is creator

and the owner, he is the life giver and the sustainer of this earth.

Secondly he is saviour. Whom does he come to save? it is humanity. Through actions and

thoughts man has broken down relationship with fellow humans, creation and God himself. There is anger, resentment, hatred, there are actions that break and hurt. And so we need God to save us from this situation that we may be made pure and clean and stand before him as people who make peace, seek justice, do good, and have the best of the other in our hearts.

Thirdly he is Lord, strong and almighty. While these are seen as military words these are words which also speak about victory. He has conquered death and overcome sin. In times of fear and uncertainty and struggles he gives us hope, when we feel disappointments and feel the world falling around us and all is lost he lifts us up and gives strength to continue. Above all knowing that he is Lord and victorious gives us confidence to continue living in the midst of a world filled with evil knowing that in him we secure.

What a wonderful way to look back and then lift up our heads and look to the king of glory.

Advent keeps the flame of hope burning. it keeps us prepared. Just as the people of Jerusalem prepared to receive the king of glory through the ark of the covenant into their midst, so do we during this season of advent not only prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, but also prepare ourselves to lift up our heads and accept our king, the lord of glory when he comes. 

May God bless us all and help us to keep a meaningful season of advent.