The Christmas season calls for believers to focus not only on what is in thepast but also what is in thefuture. Jesus' incarnation is certainly past—Jesus came to earth! ButChristmas is also a time for patient waiting and hopeful expectation—Jesus will come again! This idea is expressed perfectly in the song, "A Day of Glory," which reflects on the "day of promise" of which the OT prophets looked forward (i.e., the day when Jesus arrived in his first advent), and also on the "day of glory," when God will establish his eternal kingdom on earth with Jesus at its head. Isaiah wrote about both advents: a first, inaugurated advent (advent means "coming"), and a second, end-of-time advent. In Isaiah 9:6, the prophet writes,

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

And yet in Isaiah 60:1-3, he writes about a future advent:

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.

So in thinking about both advents, let us keep Jesus as the center and greatest treasure of this season. Let us look back on what he has done in his first coming, and look forward to what he will do when he comes again. The sermon text this week is from Luke 16:10ff., which you can readhere. Songs we will sing this week include the following, provided in a playlist here:

1. Hark the Herald Angels Sing
2. O Come All Ye Faithful
3. You Are Worthy
4. In the Name of God
5. Abide with Me

Josh Philpot Pastor for Worship.