Homily for the Season of Advent

By Ed Ball, December 08, 2013

As we gather today, in the midst of this Advent season, we are reminded tis the season as we prepare for the celebration over the glorious birth of Christ. A moment in history that ushered in the Son of Man, the rule of a new kingdom, one that is meant to serve in abundance of love and grace, rather than rule over subordinates as expected by those dedicated to the Old Testament laws and as told by prophets of years past. In my personal life, those times where I have failed, when I have felt that all is lost, and things couldnt possibly get any worst, is when the Holy Spirit sends me a reminder to focus on our Father as Creator that He is always creating. For not once have I found a bad situation, where when I humbled myself before Jesus, and God the Father, that the Holy Spirit did not convict my very soul to the point where eventually I came to realize that something good was about to come of all this. As we envision Joseph and Mary struggling to find a decent room in the bustling city of Bethlehem to provide for the proper birth of Gods beloved Son, our LORD and Savior ; unbeknownst to us, God has a greater plan in store. One that threw Satan for a loop, who would possibly look for the Holy child in a manger? Who would have known, that such a humble setting would be the first place of worship praising the birth of our Savior, and eventually three wise men would arrive bearing Him gifts fit for a King. By the age of 12, Jesus was teaching elders the truth as the Living Word in their temple, also known as His Fathers house, just below the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. Later during Jesus ministry, He performed many wonders. He went on to turn water into wine, healing numerous sick, driving demons out of those that were publicly considered a menace to society and their families, causing the lame to walk again, restoring the sight to the blind, He would raise the dead with just a few powerful words of utmost authority, and all this is but a small sampling of the list of miracles that He performed. Even the mere touch of His garment released His power and by faith others were healed. Also, Flavius Josephus, the Jewish historian of the time is mystified and reluctant to label Jesus as only a mere man based upon Jesus accomplishments as verified by witnesses of that era. Gathering up His 12 disciples, what a motley crew by human standards; they consisted of a despised tax collector, a zealot, a Benedict Arnold, one short tempered, one of so many doubts, a shy man, and the job descriptions go on until apparently the characteristics of men in all walks of life were selected. Perhaps if we look closely enough, and were honest with ourselves, we would see our mirrored image in Jesus followers. I know I have.

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Homily for the Season of Advent

By Ed Ball, December 08, 2013

As a young man, early in His ministry, Jesus declared in the synagogue of Nazareth, by reading of the scroll from Isaiah 61:1-2 as found in Luke chapter 4:18-19 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Rolling up the scroll, omitting the completion of the verse in Isaiah, having made His announcement, here we find that Jesus was on a mission filled with the holy anointing of the Spirit, for Christ was appointed and ordained by His Father, Gods vengeance was yet a future event in their lives and not declared in their midst that day.

In closing, we are reminded of our most precious gift this Christmas, and that gift is Jesus. I invite you to spend time with our Father and count your blessings and give Him praise! I for one intend to examine my conscience this Advent season and recognize my weaknesses and be constantly in prayer. For when Jesus was entering Jerusalem for the last time, overwhelmed with love, and compassion for a chosen people, He cried because the people of Jerusalem did not recognize the time of their visitation. Allowing their leadership to crucify Him while exhibiting the depths of His love so that others may live life eternal including Gentiles of all nations. Not even the darkness of death could restrain Him, for He arose as He foretold in just three days, physically made himself known to his followers, and eventually took His rightful place at the right hand of His Father in Heaven to await the Day of the Lord and His second coming. The time of which only the Father knows. Let us not miss out on the grace and mercy our Father is offering us during this season of Advent and the days and years ahead. For Jesus says blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. Thy will be done LORD. Amen! To your family from ours Have a wonderful Merry Christmas everyone!

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