Better watch out! 2012 is coming soon. (At least to a theater near you.)
The doomsayers, the fear mongers are already working up their next end of the world scenarios. Like the 1970’s “Late Great Planet Earth” or the more recent popular “Left Behind” series the mood proclaimed is that Jesus is coming soon and this time he’s really cheesed off. Sometimes our theology come across as Jesus as the great Santa from whom you better watch out, you better not pout, you better not cry. I’m telling you why … He knows when you are sleeping. He knows when you’re awake. He knows when you’ve been bad or good so …
Luke 21:25-36 25 "There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. 26 People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in a cloud' with power and great glory.
For my money there is enough real threat in the world without people with hell and damnation if they don’t believe just right
- When people are still losing their jobs or can’t find adequate employment
- When mounting debts cause some to choose between feeding their family or paying the doctor’s bills
- When farmers are struggling with a decade of drought (whether as a result of human caused global warming or natural cycles of our planet)
- When hurricanes and Tsunamis devastate coastal towns
- When addictions and/or violence ruin families
- When cancers and life threatening blood clots, car accidents or worries for our children fill us with fear and depression
Advent is the time to loudly proclaim the Good News and the Hope of the Christmas season. It is precisely when things look their worst the God is most noticeably with us!
Jeremiah 33:14-16 The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 15 In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 16 In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: "The LORD is our righteousness."
