Sermons for the Season of Advent
Matthew 1:(1-17)18-25 He [Joseph] did as the angel of the Lord commanded him. He took her [Mary] as his wife but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son. And he named him Jesus. In Matthew’s Gospel the birth of Jesus is reported by Jesus almost as an aside. It isn’t …
Matthew 11:2-11 One of the things many, most, perhaps everyone looks forward to at Christmas are the presents. We do try to tell ourselves not to be so shallow or materialistic. We say the joy of Christmas isn’t dependent on what we get But even if we have grown out of that, we can still …
A Sermon for the Third Sunday of Advent (11/12/22):The Gift You Didn’t Know You Wanted Read More »
Matthew 3:1-12 A Necessary PreparationOne thing which all of the gospel writers are agreed on is that Jesus’ ministry is preceded by that of John the Baptist. Whilst only Matthew and Luke find it necessary to tell us about the birth and childhood of Jesus, all four of them are clear that Jesus’ ministry follows …
Matthew 24:36-44 Advent is the season of looking forward and getting ready. Both in a small and brief sense, but also in the largest and most long-lasting sense. Mostly we think of Advent as the about four weeks before Christmas. That time of year when we allow ourselves to look forward to the celebration. It …
A Sermon for the First Sunday of Advent (27/11/22): Advent, back to front and inside out Read More »
Luke 1:39-45 In those days Mary set out and went with haste. . .Gabriel has not long left Mary, and she sets out on a journey. Not for the last time, will someone set out in joy and haste after receiving news from an angel. Very soon Shepherds will leave their flocks where they had …
A Sermon for the Fourth Sunday of Advent (19/12/21): Elizabeth and Mary Read More »
Luke 3:7-18 John the Baptist’s preaching is harsh! He launches into an attack on his hearers:“You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come”He pictures the crowd who are standing in front of him, the ones who have come out into the middle of nowhere to listen to him, he …
A Sermon for the Third Sunday of Advent (12/12/21): John’s Message to Snakes Read More »
Luke 3:1-6 Luke sets the scene. Having completed his prologue, events that took place 30 years ago, with a brief reference to a slightly more recent incident, he now turns to the main event, the substance of the story he wants to tell. Luke situates his account of the Good News very carefully in history. …
A Sermon for the Second Sunday of Advent (05/12/21): Dramatis Personae Read More »
Jeremiah 33:14-16 Behold the days are coming declares the LORD, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of JudahJeremiah is a prophet. He is someone who has been given insight about God. And so he is able to speak for God. The words he speaks are …
A Sermon for the First Sunday of Advent (28/11/21): Not When But What Read More »
And Will Call His Name Immanuel Isaiah 7:10-17 As so often happens, Judah is in the midst of a crisis. The place where God’s people live is not only a land which has been promised to them, it is also a cross roads. Trade routes to the north and south, to east and west meet here. So the land …
A Sermon for the Fourth Sunday of Advent (20/12/20): And Will Call His Name Immanuel Read More »
Rejoice! Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 I will rejoice greatly in the LORD says the prophet. In some traditions of the church the third Sunday in Advent (today) is referred to as “Gaudete Sunday ,”that is “Rejoice Sunday.” Which, I guess is why this passage from Isaiah is set for today. That is why in some advent rings one …
A Sermon for the Third Sunday in Advent (13/12/20): Rejoice! Read More »