Advent
Message
by Pastor Des Rafferty
The Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Andover Street, Burngreave
All
I want for Advent is… Hope
At a time
when many churches and pulpits proclaim peace and goodwill
our world seems to be headed in the opposite direction. The
threat of possible terror attack, danger of another war in
the Gulf, and fear of a fire in the home, all of these conjure
feelings of uncertainty which mature and leave a legacy of
distress and depression.
Towering
above the conflicts of our age is the message of hope that
‘Advent’ brings. At the time of his first arrival
on earth an angelic chorus heralded the birth of Jesus.
“Glory
to God in the highest and on earth peace and goodwill to all
men.”
Heaven’s
desire, for our world, is that our attention be so fixed on
giving glory to God that human conflicts will be turned into
peace and goodwill for all humanity. This isn’t ‘pie
in the sky’ talk. It is heaven’s prayer for our
world and is achievable in every life. It starts with the
decision to share happiness with a neighbour, whether they
deserve it or not. It is amazing how an acorn or kindness
can mature into an oak tree of friendship.
To quote
George Mason: “To love people, to be indispensable somewhere,
that is the purpose of life. That is the secret of happiness.”
So how
will you spend this Advent time? Why not make this Advent
the beginning of the rest of your life.
A
happy, hopeful and peaceful Advent to you all.
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