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Advent We have used the Advent calendar for at least 20 years as a, more-or-less, organized way of focusing our attention on the meaning of the birth of Jesus. On each of the four Sundays preceding Christmas the emphasis is on one of the “gifts” that came to us with the Incarnation (Hope, Peace, Joy, Love) and then on Christmas Eve we celebrate the birth of Jesus, Immanuel. Christian Symbols First, and most important, symbols stand for something, but they are not the thing itself. Symbols are used to enable us to give expression to ideas or things which are difficult to describe in words. They also become a kind of “short hand” for the actual object or event. Symbols are different from pictures; for example, you have seen many pictures portraying the last supper with Jesus and the disciples gathered around the table, but a symbol of the last supper might be a chalice, bread, or grapes. In general, symbols are made to look plain, sometimes even crude, rather than beautiful so as to not detract from the meaning– in this case, the object symbolized is important, but the artist’s skill is not. We encounter symbols often in our lives. As an example, the “pedestrian crossing” sign doesn’t use an actual picture of a person, but, rather, a simple stick figure which conveys the message much more clearly. Of course, in our technological age we are all acquainted with icons (symbols) on our phones, computers, and in our cars. In the past, many evangelicals utterly rejected any Christian symbolism because of the apparent misuse by some church groups – there is a danger that the symbol might become more important than what it symbolizes and even worshiped. However, viewed correctly, symbols are an important means of conveying knowledge in a very clear, concise, and unique manner. An appropriate symbol for the first Sunday of Advent is “the sunrise” in reference to Luke 1:78, 79, where, quoting Isaiah 9:2 and speaking of Jesus, the writer says, “...because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” The KJV uses the old, and very descriptive, word, “dayspring” for sunrise. At the birth of Jesus, the “Light of the World” came into His world to bring life to those who were lost. He was, and is, the HOPE of all who live in the shadow of death. His birth was truly the dawning of a new age – the “Son-rise,” as it were! Welcome to the Morning Worship of the College Heights Baptist Church on the twenty-eighth of November, 2021 The First Sunday of Advent: HOPE Service begins at 10:30 AM But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me. Micah 7:7 (NIV) Prelude with Announcements Music “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” Welcome & Announcements Scripture & Prayer Music 76 Lentz Upshaw John 3:16-21 “May the Peoples Praise You” “Holy, Holy, Holy” Prayer 2 Lentz Upshaw Message Greg Benno Response Benediction “Let Your Kingdom Come” Matthew 28:18-20 Postlude He was created of a mother whom He created. He was carried by hands that He formed. He cried in the manger in wordless infancy. He, the Word, without whom all human eloquence is mute. AUGUSTINE Dayspring