Sunday 1 December 2024

Today is Sunday the 1st of December, the First Sunday of Advent. Salt of the Sound sings, ‘Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus’. Take a moment to consciously step into this new season of Advent. What are you hoping for in this season? Come Thou long expected Jesus Born to set Thy people free From our fears and sins release us Let us find our rest in Thee Israel's strength and consolation Hope of all the earth Thou art Dear desire of every nation Joy of every longing heart Born Thy people to deliver Born a child and yet a King Born to reign in us forever Now Thy gracious Kingdom bring By Thine own eternal Spirit Rule in all our hearts alone By Thine all sufficient merit Raise us to Thy glorious throne Today’s reading is from the Prophet Jeremiah. Jeremiah 3:14-16 Return, O faithless children, says the Lord, for I am your master; I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion. I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding. And when you have multiplied and increased in the land, in those days, says the Lord, they shall no longer say, ‘The ark of the covenant of the Lord.’ It shall not come to mind, or be remembered, or missed; nor shall another one be made. As we enter a new church year on this Advent Sunday, we hear the prophet Jeremiah calling us to return to the Lord. How do you respond to this invitation? In what ways do you need to return to the Lord? Ask Jesus to help you with this. Listen for his response. Who has shepherded you most in your faith? Give thanks for them today. As you hear the passage again, ask for the ‘knowledge and understanding’ you need to grow in faith. As you rest in God, looking forward to this new season, let go of something from the past that you no longer need to hold onto. O Wisdom Lord and Ruler Root of Jesse Key of David Rising Sun King of the Nations Emmanuel Come, Lord Jesus