December 8, 2019

Breaking Open the Scripture Scriptures for December 8th: Isaiah 11:1-10, Psalm 72:1-7.18-19; Romans 15:4-13, Matthew 3:1-12; Theme: Second Sunday of Advent Romans: The gifts of the season are hope, joy, love and peace. As Paul speaks to the gentiles, he passes on those gifts and explains that they all from God. In this scripture Paul particularly speaks of the gift of hope. We learn hope through studying the scripture and living out our faith. We are also called to give our faith to others through hospitality. We are to welcome them into the same family that we have been welcomed into – God’s family. According to Paul, the gentiles hearing and accepting the gospel is proof of a loving God. If God love us then we can accomplish anything. That is the meaning of hope. Matthew: John the Baptist is a key figure during the season of advent. He is the precursor to Jesus. He tells everyone what to expect. John does not seem to have very good social skills. He does not even like the people that he is talking to. But he gets his point across even to us listening – that it is time for us to change our lives, to turn from evil and to embrace God. Whomever we are, we are being challenged to think differently. To look at our motives, and to make sure that they are in alignment with what Jesus was taught us to do. If John, who is a relative and determined to serve him, calls himself unworthy, than neither are we. But if we turn our life around, our gift this advent season will be grace. Questions: What gives you hope in your life? How do you pass hope onto to others who have none? What do you need to repent of? What needs to change in your life?