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1st Sunday in Advent

Our lessons for this first Sunday in Advent fall neatly into two themes that in themselves would provide a great beginning to this yearning season. The psalm and first lesson look to physical places—Jerusalem and the mountain of the lord—as the site of God’s dwelling presence. The epistle reading gospel lay stress on time as a measurement of God’s return to rule and reign. In either case, we have before us some fabulous passages that will celebrate the start of Advent.

PSALM 122—O JERUSALEM

The third of about fifteen pilgrimage or ascent poem, this song captures the yearning of worshipers to return to "the house of the lord" in Jerusalem ( v. 1). Most of the psalm focuses not so much on the temple as on the idea of the city itself. With obvious relish and pride, the psalmist ascribes greatness to the people and the city. Jerusalem is where the lord’s people come to offer their thanks and to hear the Law’s requirements and the place David’s dynasty continues. The psalm closes with the famous prayer for the peace and prosperity of Jerusalem

ISAIAH 2:1-5—MOUNTAIN OF THE LORD

This piece forms a nice thematic bridge to Psalm 122. Again, the view is toward Jerusalem, but more narrowly, this lesson focuses on "the mountain of the lord" (v. 3). We’ll talk more about that in the commentary section, but for the moment think about the yearning and vision that this lesson projects—that of God’s mountain rising to be the highest point on earth. Thus seen by all, the reign of God will draw people from the ends of the earth, which in God’s mountain will learn to live, learn, and walk in God’s war-ceasing peace. Under God’s leadership, "nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more" (v. 4).

ROMANS 13:11-14—TIME RUNNING OUT

This lesson picks up where the final verse in Isaiah 2 leaves off: walking in the light of the lord (Isaiah 2:5). Time is running out; time to wake up; the darkness is fleeing, "so clothe yourselves," Paul says, "with the armor of right living, as those who live in the light" (NLT v. 12). This passage speaks to the moral life of Christian faith and lays down a variety of prescriptive admonitions for living a well-pleasing life before God—being decent and authentic in all areas of life, being a party-pooper at "wild parties" (v. 13), not to mention the avoidance of getting drunk, being sexually promiscuous, fighting, and getting into fits of jealousy.

MATTHEW 24:36-44—AS IN THE DAYS OF NOAH

The gospel lesson corresponds with the epistle reading above—the idea of time and living in light of waning time. Some of the same images show up here, though attributed to Noah’s day, yet strangely close any generation’s description—enjoying banquets and parties and weddings (v. 38). In the end, we just don’t what time it is in our lifetimes nor in God’s watch; so we live as if the Advent were today.