The story of Advent is the story of Gods love for humankind. God comes to us in Jesus so that we might live close to him forever. May we recognize God as a close God a near God. May we open our hearts to him in this Advent season.

The message of the incarnation of Christ comes to us in a variety of texts including the Gospel nativity stories as well as texts from the Epistles. Today we begin with a Pauline text from Philippians which simply reminds us that, God is near (Philippians 4:5). In this passage we are encouraged to live in joy, peace and gratitude all because Jesus is near to us in time and space. Jesus is near therefore we do not have to live in fear or be controlled by our anxious hearts. Rather, we are able to live with tranquil and quiet hearts because Jesus is near to us in every situation we face.

The writer of Deuteronomy invites us to remember Gods blessings in our lives remember and not forget. In my mind this is a needed exhortation because frequently we do forget all the blessings we have received from God. Instead, we focus on the problems we are facing in the moment or we become distracted by the busyness (and projects) we are running in the present. The invitation from the sacred text is to remember and reflect upon Gods goodness that we experience in our day to day. In the prosperous or challenging times do not lose sight of the truth that we are sheltered in Gods hands and he will see us through to the completion of our days.

Pastor Edson Torres is preachinfg this Sunday. Pastor Edson is the pastor of Projeto Restaurando Vidas, the Brazilian Portuguese church that worships at Weston Park.

Jesus leaves the upper room with his disciples and they pass through the Kidron Valley on the way to the garden of Gethsemane. It is a time of preparation for our Lord as he steels himself for the onslaught to come. He knows very well that Judas is intent on betraying him to the authorities and his demise is certain. Yet he is committed to protecting his disciples and submitting himself to Gods redemptive plans. For Jesus, the valley of preparation is the valley of descent in which he (the Good Shepherd) lays down his life for his sheep.

God has a vision for us a greater arch that stretches over our lives to give us meaning and purpose. The question we face is; will we discern this greater purpose? The prophet Isaiah speaks about such a purpose in his phrase the valley of vision. It describes a life lived open to Gods movements in our spirits, hearts and minds when we live this way the Spirit has freedom to lead and guide us in Gods ways. May we tear down the walls that separate us from God and become one with him in purpose and compassion for others.

Our loving God travels with us in solidarity knowing all about our weaknesses and anxious hearts. He travels with us in our valleys of discouragement and resistance always ready to renew our hearts. The prophet Isaiah underlines this truth as he affirms that the Valley of Discouragement will become a place of refreshment and repose. Our ultimate state is not one of sadness or conflict but one of shalom, joy and abundance all flowing from the hand of our creative, saving God.

Gods word to us is always one of hope. It is a message of Do not fear but keep trusting in the goodness and grace of God. It is a message of love and acceptance in spite of the waywardness of ones past. Truly God is our Good Shepherd who has revealed himself in the Good Shepherd of Galilee (Joh 10). It is this message of comfort and acceptance that the prophet Isaiah extends to the people of exile (of any age) a true message of homecoming and love.