Advent Readings and Lightings, Part 1, by Dr. Michael A. Milton
December 6, 2012
Pastoral Preparations for the Coming Season
Here is a statement which I used a few years ago before beginning a weekly time of Advent readings on the Lord’s Day. In our church I also introduced the lighting of the Advent candle. Both of these things are done in my home. I have sought to focus the hearts of our children on Christ in this way. And since I think the pastor is really a father (relational, not authoritative, as John Stott reminds us) of a congregation, not a CEO, I felt this was the way I wanted to lead Jesus’ children back to Him during the season of Advent. I offer these readings to you and references and resources at the conclusion. I begin with a statement I used on celebrating Advent.
Presbyterians and other churches coming out of the Reformation have historically recognized the value of the Church Year, without feeling obliged to following it in their services slavishly. Many in the Reformed churches have singled out Advent and Christmas, Easter and Pentecost as major movements in the life of our Lord and His Church that are helpful in the devotional life of our churches. In that spirit, our Women in the Church have decorated our sanctuary for this special time.
The Senior Pastor has prepared a series of special messages on the Advent of Jesus Christ. And we begin our services with a lighting of the Advent Candle. Our assistant pastors have sought out individuals and families representing the life of our congregation to observe this time before each service in Advent and on Christmas Eve. The lighting of these candles reminds us of the promise that a Light would come to the World: "The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined" (Isaiah 9.2 KJV).
Each candle brings us closer to the time when we recall His birth as well as His Second Coming. Remembering Jesus’ parable in Matthew 25.1-13, the Parable of the Ten Virgins, we also seek to be wise and have our lamps ready for the Bridegroom who is coming again. As Jesus said: “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming” (25:13 KJV). As we worship our Lord Jesus and recall His first coming, look forward to His Second Coming, let us also be attentive to His present coming. As Max Lucado has written: “The One who came still comes. The One who spoke still speaks.” May the Lord use this season to draw you and your family closer to Him, that you may know His presence and hear His voice in a fresh way.
by Dr. Michael A. Milton
Chancellor & CEO of RTS
I wanted to give an aid for congregations and pastors, particularly those in free church backgrounds, who want to move away from the commercialization of the season to focus on the Incarnation. That is a hard sell to be sure. But the way to do it is through the church calendar. By acknowledging the festivity of the season, but drawing the hearts of the people away from sale papers to the Scriptures, the pastor can carry out his goal.
Our Worship of Jesus Christ in Advent
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