First Sunday of Advent – November 29, 2026
“But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” 
- Mark 13:32 -
Hope is Found Only in Jesus
We have already seen the signs of Christmas, but today the church begins a journey through the season of Advent. We will be very busy in the coming weeks with shopping, baking, wrapping and decorating. There will be programs and parties, but Advent is about so much more. It is a time for waiting. It is a time for watching. We can’t avoid Christmas in the world but during Advent we are also to be readying our hearts for the coming of our King.
We are preparing to welcome the baby in the manger, but we are also waiting for His second coming. Jesus Christ has already come, died, and been raised, but we still wait for the fulfillment of all His promises. The work of salvation is complete, but it still needs to be completed. Eternity is already ours, but we have to wait until the Day when it comes to fruition. We live in the already but not yet. Light is in the world, but darkness still plagues us.
We begin Advent in darkness, but the Light will increase over the next four weeks as we look forward the Nativity of Jesus. The Gospel text for today is “Mark’s Little Apocalypse.” We are tempted to look for the signs that are described in this text, pointing out cosmic phenomenon, natural disasters, and newspaper headlines worrying that every event proves the time is now. Mark reminds us, however, that we will never know the day or the hour. It is for the Father to decide when Christ will come again.
Instead of worrying about the apocalypse, God calls us to use our gifts to share His hope and peace with those who are lost and dying. Jesus is coming to bring light in the world, but while we wait, we can make the world a little brighter. There is so much to do in the next few weeks, but there is nothing more important than sharing the message of hope and peace that has been and will be fulfilled in Jesus, the Baby and the King.

First Sunday of Advent – November 29, 2026
“But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” 
- Mark 13:32 -
Hope is Found Only in Jesus
We have already seen the signs of Christmas, but today the church begins a journey through the season of Advent. We will be very busy in the coming weeks with shopping, baking, wrapping and decorating. There will be programs and parties, but Advent is about so much more. It is a time for waiting. It is a time for watching. We can’t avoid Christmas in the world but during Advent we are also to be readying our hearts for the coming of our King.
We are preparing to welcome the baby in the manger, but we are also waiting for His second coming. Jesus Christ has already come, died, and been raised, but we still wait for the fulfillment of all His promises. The work of salvation is complete, but it still needs to be completed. Eternity is already ours, but we have to wait until the Day when it comes to fruition. We live in the already but not yet. Light is in the world, but darkness still plagues us.
We begin Advent in darkness, but the Light will increase over the next four weeks as we look forward the Nativity of Jesus. The Gospel text for today is “Mark’s Little Apocalypse.” We are tempted to look for the signs that are described in this text, pointing out cosmic phenomenon, natural disasters, and newspaper headlines worrying that every event proves the time is now. Mark reminds us, however, that we will never know the day or the hour. It is for the Father to decide when Christ will come again.
Instead of worrying about the apocalypse, God calls us to use our gifts to share His hope and peace with those who are lost and dying. Jesus is coming to bring light in the world, but while we wait, we can make the world a little brighter. There is so much to do in the next few weeks, but there is nothing more important than sharing the message of hope and peace that has been and will be fulfilled in Jesus, the Baby and the King.

Second Sunday of Advent – December 6, 2026
“But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”
- 2 Peter 3:8-
God is Patient
Peter wrote to a people who were hopeful for Christ’s return. They believed that they would see the second coming of Jesus, they were expecting Him at any moment. Unfortunately, the early Christians began dying. Most of the Apostles and many others were martyred for their faith, but there were also many died of old age. They were worried about those who did not make it to the Great Day of the Lord, but they were also faithful. Despite their concern, they continued to pass the story of Jesus to the next generation. They knew God keeps His promises. They told the stories so that future generations would hear and believe.
Peter wrote, “with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” We don’t like to wait. Sometimes it seems to take forever to get what we want, but whatever takes “forever” for us is only a moment for God. The time has not yet come because everything is not yet ready. God is patient because not everyone for whom the promise has been given has yet heard it. We find hope in the message that God does not want any to perish. He is patient and longsuffering. Christ will not come until all is ready. This is why the evangelists wrote down the stories. They wanted them to last for every generation until the Day of the Lord.
There is still work for us to do, and God is giving us the time. There are many who are still in darkness because they have not yet heard the Good News. We are the light sent to give hope and peace to all whom God has chosen. God is patient, not just for those who haven’t heard, but for us. He is waiting until we do what we have been called to do. God’s patience is our salvation. He is waiting until we have accomplished all He has commanded us to do. The great day of the Lord might happen in our generation, but it might not happen for another thousand years which is like a day to God. He will fulfill His promises in His time according to His word.

Second Sunday of Advent – December 6, 2026
“But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”
- 2 Peter 3:8-
God is Patient
Peter wrote to a people who were hopeful for Christ’s return. They believed that they would see the second coming of Jesus, they were expecting Him at any moment. Unfortunately, the early Christians began dying. Most of the Apostles and many others were martyred for their faith, but there were also many died of old age. They were worried about those who did not make it to the Great Day of the Lord, but they were also faithful. Despite their concern, they continued to pass the story of Jesus to the next generation. They knew God keeps His promises. They told the stories so that future generations would hear and believe.
Peter wrote, “with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” We don’t like to wait. Sometimes it seems to take forever to get what we want, but whatever takes “forever” for us is only a moment for God. The time has not yet come because everything is not yet ready. God is patient because not everyone for whom the promise has been given has yet heard it. We find hope in the message that God does not want any to perish. He is patient and longsuffering. Christ will not come until all is ready. This is why the evangelists wrote down the stories. They wanted them to last for every generation until the Day of the Lord.
There is still work for us to do, and God is giving us the time. There are many who are still in darkness because they have not yet heard the Good News. We are the light sent to give hope and peace to all whom God has chosen. God is patient, not just for those who haven’t heard, but for us. He is waiting until we do what we have been called to do. God’s patience is our salvation. He is waiting until we have accomplished all He has commanded us to do. The great day of the Lord might happen in our generation, but it might not happen for another thousand years which is like a day to God. He will fulfill His promises in His time according to His word.

Third Sunday of Advent – December 13, 2026
“Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them.’  The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad.”
- Psalm 126:2-3 -
He Has Done Great Things
Advent is a season of joy. We have parties, buy presents, and decorate. We make delicious feasts and sweets. We attend events filled with music and laughter. It is a joyful time. The third Sunday of Advent is called Gaudete Sunday because it focuses on joy. “Gaudete” means “rejoice.” This is seen in our scriptures for this week. Isaiah talks about rejoicing in the Lord for all He has done. Paul tells the Thessalonians to rejoice always. John the Baptist announces the Good News. The psalmist sings about God restoring the fortunes of His people.
We get confused, though, because happiness is so closely tied to physical and material things. We try to make people with parties, presents, and decoration, but we often fail. Unfortunately, too many people are struggling and just can’t find happiness. They are worried about money, illness, or loneliness. The world tries to make us think all these things will make us happy, but John the Baptist reminds us that we aren’t meant to be chasing happiness as our Advent journey leads us toward Christmas. The joy of this Sunday isn’t the same as happiness.
It is said that laughter is the best medicine. I think that may be true, but even more so, joyful laughter shows the world the condition of your heart. When we know the joy of the Lord, it is impossible not to laugh. When we do, the world sees that God has done a great thing for us. Joy comes from the Lord, and when we know He loves us, we feel the joy of His salvation. When we praise God for His goodness, the nations see His mercy and His grace. The psalmist recognized that the great works of God in and through His people reveal His presence in this world. They remembered that they were God’s chosen people, they rejoiced because the grace of God was greater than the struggles of their days, and they laughed.

Third Sunday of Advent – December 13, 2026
“Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them.’  The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad.”
- Psalm 126:2-3 -
He Has Done Great Things
Advent is a season of joy. We have parties, buy presents, and decorate. We make delicious feasts and sweets. We attend events filled with music and laughter. It is a joyful time. The third Sunday of Advent is called Gaudete Sunday because it focuses on joy. “Gaudete” means “rejoice.” This is seen in our scriptures for this week. Isaiah talks about rejoicing in the Lord for all He has done. Paul tells the Thessalonians to rejoice always. John the Baptist announces the Good News. The psalmist sings about God restoring the fortunes of His people.
We get confused, though, because happiness is so closely tied to physical and material things. We try to make people with parties, presents, and decoration, but we often fail. Unfortunately, too many people are struggling and just can’t find happiness. They are worried about money, illness, or loneliness. The world tries to make us think all these things will make us happy, but John the Baptist reminds us that we aren’t meant to be chasing happiness as our Advent journey leads us toward Christmas. The joy of this Sunday isn’t the same as happiness.
It is said that laughter is the best medicine. I think that may be true, but even more so, joyful laughter shows the world the condition of your heart. When we know the joy of the Lord, it is impossible not to laugh. When we do, the world sees that God has done a great thing for us. Joy comes from the Lord, and when we know He loves us, we feel the joy of His salvation. When we praise God for His goodness, the nations see His mercy and His grace. The psalmist recognized that the great works of God in and through His people reveal His presence in this world. They remembered that they were God’s chosen people, they rejoiced because the grace of God was greater than the struggles of their days, and they laughed.

Fourth Sunday of Advent – December 20, 2026
“Now to him who is able...”
- Romans 16:25a –
God Is Able
The word “doxology” means “a glory saying.” Doxologies are hymns of praise. The bible, prayer lives, and liturgy is filled with doxologies. The beginning and end of this passage is a very simple doxology, “Now to him, to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.” But those words bookend a much more complicated statement of faith, showing us why God deserves the glory forever. 
He is able. So much of the story of Christ and His Church seems impossible. The story of Mary, a pregnant virgin, is beyond our understanding. Mary was a virgin. God was able to do that. Elizabeth and Zechariah were beyond childbearing years. God was able to do that, too. The earth flooded, but Noah’s family were saved. The Red Sea stood in the way, but God moved it. The prophets did miraculous things. Jesus did more than we can imagine, even the unbelievable.
The Jews expected a Messiah. They were waiting for the good news that God’s promises would finally be fulfilled in a mighty king who would lead them into another golden age. They knew the promises and they thought they were the generation to see them fulfilled. 
Paul, however, saw that there was a mystery in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He saw that God was working miracles in people who were not even Jewish. He saw Gentiles being moved by the Holy Spirit into active faith. It wasn’t just a confession of the mouth, but it was a movement of spirit and flesh that was changing the world. God is able to do it. 
And God is still able, which is why He is worthy of praise. God is able to make His hand move in the lives of those who were never expected to hear or understand the Gospel message. Those who hear that all the promises were fulfilled in Jesus Christ experience God’s grace and see that He is truly able to do this thing. Then they, too, can join us in the doxologies that tell the story of Jesus and glorify God before the world.
Fourth Sunday of Advent – December 20, 2026
“Now to him who is able...”
- Romans 16:25a –
God Is Able
The word “doxology” means “a glory saying.” Doxologies are hymns of praise. The bible, prayer lives, and liturgy is filled with doxologies. The beginning and end of this passage is a very simple doxology, “Now to him, to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.” But those words bookend a much more complicated statement of faith, showing us why God deserves the glory forever. 
He is able. So much of the story of Christ and His Church seems impossible. The story of Mary, a pregnant virgin, is beyond our understanding. Mary was a virgin. God was able to do that. Elizabeth and Zechariah were beyond childbearing years. God was able to do that, too. The earth flooded, but Noah’s family were saved. The Red Sea stood in the way, but God moved it. The prophets did miraculous things. Jesus did more than we can imagine, even the unbelievable.
The Jews expected a Messiah. They were waiting for the good news that God’s promises would finally be fulfilled in a mighty king who would lead them into another golden age. They knew the promises and they thought they were the generation to see them fulfilled. 
Paul, however, saw that there was a mystery in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He saw that God was working miracles in people who were not even Jewish. He saw Gentiles being moved by the Holy Spirit into active faith. It wasn’t just a confession of the mouth, but it was a movement of spirit and flesh that was changing the world. God is able to do it. 
And God is still able, which is why He is worthy of praise. God is able to make His hand move in the lives of those who were never expected to hear or understand the Gospel message. Those who hear that all the promises were fulfilled in Jesus Christ experience God’s grace and see that He is truly able to do this thing. Then they, too, can join us in the doxologies that tell the story of Jesus and glorify God before the world.