Matthew begins his Gospel telling us that Jesus is ‘God with us’—Emmanuel. At the end of his Gospel, he recounts Jesus’s final words to his disciples, ‘I am with you always, to the end of the age’ (Matthew 28:20). It is not just that God was with us in Jesus, but that Jesus continues to be with us. He is still Emmanuel. And because I believe he is with me, I live differently; I have peace, I find strength, I live seeking to walk with him.”
—Adam Hamilton, Incarnation: Rediscovering the Significance of Christmas (page 109)
The season of Advent begins on Nov. 29. Advent is a time of waiting and anticipation of the coming of Christ. This year I bet most of us feel a particular need for Advent.
At Unity, our theme for Advent will be Incarnation.
Incarnation means that God took on flesh. God became human. Jesus is God incarnate. Throughout this season we will study the impact that incarnation has on us today.
We are offering an Advent study based on Adam Hamilton’s book Incarnation: Rediscovering the Significance of Christmas. This study includes a 10 minute video by Adam Hamilton and then a pastor-led discussion of that week’s themes. It will be offered via Zoom.
The Incarnation study will begin on Dec. 2 and will take place each Wednesday at 4 pm. I will record these session so that if you miss a class, you can catch up later.
Incarnation Overview
Dec. 2-
Session 1: Presidents and Kings
What does it mean that Jesus came as king?
Dec. 9-
Session 2: The Savior and Our Need for Saving
Jesus is given the title of Savior. How are we, and our world, in need of saving?
Dec. 16-
Session 3: Emmanuel in the Midst of a Pandemic
God is with us—let us examine the ways God has been with us in 2020.
Dec. 23-
Session 4: Light of the World, Word of God, and Lord
Jesus is the light in the darkness. Let us let our light shine.
I hope you will join us for this Advent study. Here is the Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89649464082.
Sunday morning worship through Advent will correspond with the themes of this study. On Nov. 29 (the first Sunday in Advent) we will study Jesus as King. The following weeks will be Jesus as Savior, Jesus as Emmanuel and Jesus as the Light of the World.
This Sunday we will conclude our Encounter series with a story of ten lepers— and one who stood out from the group.
See you on Sunday!
-Pastor David
