Our Advent theme of Waiting On The Word has two important meanings. First, it calls us back to the first words of the Gospel of John in the New Testament. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word, was with God, and the Word was God.” So we are waiting on God. More precisely, we are waiting on the Word that was God.
If we read a little deeper in the first chapter of John we discover that “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
The “Word” we are waiting on is Jesus. The Book of Philippians describes his arrival in this way; “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” We call it the mystery of the incarnation. It is the reality that God became flesh and lived among us.
So we wait. We linger, stop, and stay awhile as we anticipate the arrival of Jesus at the celebration of Christmas.
In another way, we will be Waiting On The Word as we spend time reflecting on the Word of God that we know as the holy scriptures. We will ponder, study, and discover the Book of Colossians while we learn from one another and through the insights we will share from the Word. So the written Word of God will help us understand the living Word of God that we find in the birth of Jesus.
I hope you will take time to read each daily passage, memorize a verse each week, and pray for the mission of God that is expressed through the life of the Parker United Methodist Church. I invite you to take time to read slowly with a deliberate spirit. Reflect on what you read with a heart that is open and ready. I believe God will have a word for you as we faithfully move into the fullness of the season.
Each day we will join the entire congregation in reading a specific passage of Scripture. You will also be invited to read the daily reflection that is contained in this booklet. You may want to take some notes before you engage in a directed prayer to support the mission of the church. And all of that will be preceded by lighting a candle that will remind us to be the light of Christ in the world on that day.
If we Wait On The Word with a spirit of hope, I know God will add great blessing. Consider following the pattern for your reading:
Find a comfortable (and maybe consistent) sacred place as your reading / reflection location.
You might choose to light a candle with a prayer that God will illuminate your time of devotional reading and cause you to be a light unto the world on that day.
Slowly read the passage of Scripture for the day. (Seek)
Review the devotional thoughts from this booklet. (Stay)
Share some time in prayer for the daily suggested prayer focus. (Share)
Review the Scripture memory verse for the week.
Then be sure to attend the Thursday evening meal and conversation
Let’s wait on the Word together!