First Sunday in Advent, Dec. 2, 2012
(Notes from the sermon) There are many cultural novenas leading up to Christmas…. The original Puritans outlawed Christmas. Our current secular Christmas is a continuation of that earlier practice.
The real meaning of Christmas is the incarnation of the Son of God in the womb of the Virgin Mary. Someone said our culture is our souls writ large. If there’s nothing godly, of value or beauty in our souls, there will be nothing godly or beautiful out there. The culture in turn, influences us.
Plastic junk
The Walton brothers and others manipulate us to buy things. And then we’re standing in line at 2 a.m. to buy plastic junk made in China…. Black Fridays and endless shopping days. But our deepest longing is for God and eternal life. Cast yourself off culture and start searching for God, for eternal life.
Start saying bedtime prayers. Eat meals together. Set up a manger scene during Advent.