Thalia UMC Baptism Renewal Service- January 13th

Reference “The Weary World Rejoices” devotion plan from the Bible app

Read John 1: 10-14

A Strange Season

A famous Christmas carol, “Oh Holy Night” (and one of my personal favorites), has a lyric that might resonate with you this year: “A thrill of hope! The weary world rejoices.”

As we enter the Advent season, do you feel weary? Don’t worry, you are not alone.

You could even say that being weary and worn out is an acceptable place to approach this Advent season. Advent exists to remind us that, while darkness surrounds us and troubles exist, the hope of Christmas isn’t far away.

It may seem distant. It may even seem impossible this year for you to feel hopeful. You might have lost your job or been furloughed. Or maybe you’re feeling isolated from those you love, especially with holidays that often find us able to be in big family gatherings. You may have even grieved the loss of a family member or friend.

Looking around, all you might be able to see right now is darkness (and I’m not talking about it just getting darker earlier in the evening). It can feel as if you try to adjust your eyes, blinking into the night and there seems to be no light. No stars in the sky to brighten the night sky. The weight of sickness, death, injustice, and pain seems too heavy.

Or maybe you’re just tired. Numb. Ready to pull the covers over your head and try this whole Christmas cheer thing again next year. I literally just made the comment the other day that I just wasn’t feeling it this year, didn’t even want to put up my Christmas tree (I know…blasphemy). Don’t feel guilty. Instead, acknowledged the very real darkness of this world and you’ll have eyes to see Advent through the same lens as the people waiting for a Messiah thousands of years ago,

For 500 years from their last prophet, Malachi, the people of Israel hadn’t heard anything from God about their redeemer. God’s chosen people must have cried out to Him, asking how long it would be before their hope, their salvation, would arrive. It was too dark, and God seemed to be silent. Has He felt that way to you this year?

Though He may have felt far away to them, God was so much closer than His people knew–gently planning Jesus’ entrance into the world in the most unexpected way.

Reflection Questions:

How does this Advent season look different than years past?

Do you find it hard to be patient when waiting on God’s promises? Why or why not?

If you are feeling the weight of the darkness of this world, what’s one small step you can take to start lighting up the night sky with hope this Advent Season?

Many of us wonder why faith matters. In his book, Creed, Adam Hamilton breaks down the Apostles’ Creed into six parts, explaining the fundamentals of faith and why it matters. By exploring the basics of Christian faith together, we hope to grow in our individual and corporate understanding of why what we believe makes a difference in daily living.

We are encouraging everyone who is connected to Thalia UMC to join us in exploring Creed through individual and corporate study. There are a variety of ways to study with a group. Several adult Sunday School classes, in addition to Children’s Sunday School, will be utilizing this resource in conjunction with the worship series. Additionally, Pastor Joe will be teaching the confirmation class with this book for 6 weeks from September 10 – October 15.

The Creed study guide is $13.50 each and can be paid for through the donation link on our website. Books will be ordered by the Church office and made available starting September 3rd.

If you would like to order a book and/or join a Sunday School class, please fill out the registration form below:

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