Christians from many backgrounds gathered within their Church’s sanctuary during the four-week Advent season, dedicated to anticipating the arrival, or “advent,” of Jesus of Nazareth, the long-awaited Messiah and King. Each week a candle was lit reflecting on Hope, Peace, Love, and Joy with a fifth candle, the Christ candle, lit on Christmas Eve.
We were reminded of meditating on each candle lit while we went on about our everyday life guided by the Light of Christ, which took us from darkness to light. And Jesus, demonstrated to us the reflections of Hope, Peace, Love, and Joy throughout his earthly ministry which he shared not only as a story, but why hosting these values allows us to walk in the,” Light of Christ,”.
Taking the knowledge we hold within from Advent as we approach this coming season of Lent, and we gather within our sanctuaries, we remember the events that led Jesus to his crucifixion.
He had come into the world to bring hope and light, but at every turn there were those who sought to extinguish that light. He offered healing and wisdom, yet his gifts were often rejected by those filled with hatred and fear.
We read in the fourth chapter of the Gospel of Luke: Jesus went to his hometown, Nazareth, and on the Sabbath, he went as usual to the synagogue. He stood up to read the Scriptures and was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and read, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has chosen me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the oppressed and announce that the time has come when the Lord will save his people.”
Jesus rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. All the people in the synagogue had their eyes fixed upon him, as he said to them, “This passage of scripture has come true today, as you heard it being read.”
When the people in the synagogue heard this, they were filled with anger. They rose up, dragged Jesus out of town and took him to the top of the hill on which their town was built. They meant to throw him over the cliff, but he walked through the middle of the crowd and went on his way.
Jesus had said, “A prophet is never welcomed in his hometown.” A little of the light which had come into the world was snuffed out by the people who watched Jesus grow up.
He came as a friend amongst sinners and many knew him, but even those who were close to him would often fail to be faithful. When he depended on them the most, they rejected him.
Friends, as we begin our walk during Lent, let’s not forget the Advent candles, walk in the Light of Christ and accept Jesus as your LORD and SAVIOR.
Thanks be to God.
Pastor Annabell Williams-Blegen
Elmira United Presbyterian Church, Toulon
First Presbyterian Church, Kewanee
The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of The Kewanee Voice.
