Monday, December 13, 2021

Readings:
Isaiah 11:1-9
Numbers 16:1-19
Hebrews 13:7-17

The pace of change in our culture can be exhilarating. Advances in technology have made home entertainment better than going to a movie and watching a sporting event on TV is often preferably to watching in person. As an added benefit the lines at the bathroom are shorter and the snacks are much, much cheaper. We literally carry around small computers in our pockets and we are not far away from our cars driving themselves.

While there are clear benefits to “progress” there is also a dark shadow side that exists when everything seemingly becomes soluble, transient, and malleable. It becomes hard to find solid ground to stand upon when nothing stays the same longer than the next .0 of the latest software upgrade. We need fixed points to depend upon, traditions to provide refuge, and routines that last longer than a news cycle. In other words we need rock to stand upon that will not be swept away by the relentless onslaught of the shiny new thing. 
           
Advent (along with the rest of the Church Calendar) can, and does provide us with ancient rhythms, observances, and a means of keeping time that draws us towards the eternal nature of God. Rightly kept, Advent places us in God’s eternal reality where we can find our bearings to build Christian Character that is in this world but not overwhelmed by the world. 
 
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8

Steve Autrey
Senior Pastor, Denver UMC
14005 Stumptown Rd.
Huntersville, NC 28078
(704) 875-1156
3910 North Highway 16
Denver, NC 28037