Introduction

Hello, and welcome to the Will Preach for Food podcast. I’m Doug, a pastor here at Faith Lutheran Church, based out of Shelton, Washington, a beloved, affirming congregation of the ELCA, growing closer to and more like Jesus, for the sake of the world. You can learn more about Faith at our website, www.faithshelton.org. Thanks for making this podcast part of your day.

Every once in a while, there is a song or hymn that captures the truth of a particular time or season. Take a listen to our own Emily Shane sing this haunting and hopeful Advent carol called “Each Winter as the Year Grows Older” (ELW 252):

Each winter as the year grows older,

we each grow older, too.

The chill sets in a little colder;

the verities we knew seem shaken and untrue.

When race and class cry out for treason,

when sirens call for war, they over shout the voice of reason and scream till we ignore all we held dear before.

Yet I believe beyond believing

that life can spring from death,

that growth can flower from our grieving,

that we can catch our breath

and turn transfixed by faith.

So even as the sun is turning 

to journey to the north, 

the living flame, in secret burning,

can kindle on the earth and bring God's love to birth.

O Child of ecstasy and sorrows,

O Prince of peace and pain,

brighten today's world by tomorrow's,

renew our lives again; 

Lord Jesus, come and reign!

Text: William Gay, b. 1920, alt.

Text © 1971 United Church Press.

Spring is Coming

This is the 3rd Sunday in Advent, a four-week season in the church year leading up to Christmas. It marks a new year, it comes as we march into the long nights of the winter months, especially up here in the PNW.  The general theme of Advent has to do with “getting ready” for the arrival of Christ the Lord. John the Baptist is a Bible character associated with Advent, known for his preaching in the wilderness: Prepare the Way of the Lord! We prepare for Christ’s arrival. We “get ready” for Christmas, recalling the events and prophesies that led up to the birth of Jesus 2000 years ago. And, of course, decking the halls, trimming the tree, and buying the presents. 

We also “get ready” for Christ’s return to “judge the living and the dead.” We prepare our hearts to receive Christ into our lives now, and to be received by Christ on the last day. We look forward to the great Day of the Lord. If you ever saw the Game of Thrones, you know that the underlying warning was that “winter is coming!” But for Christians, Christ’s return means new life, light, and hope. For Christians, even as the days are short and the nights are long, Advent holds out the promise that “Spring is coming!” So today I’d like to reflect on each of the verses of this Advent hymn, then leave you with four takeaways and a blessing.