For the Second Sunday of Advent, the service started with the Canticle of Zachariah, the Gloria Patri and the hymn of praise was "Angels We Have Heard on High." We had words of joy and testimony, and the lighting of the Advent Candle.
The sermon was about preparing the way - what are we doing for the Kingdom?
Pastor Robbie explained that the X in Xmas really comes from the Greek letter chi, the first letter of Crstov, or Christ in Greek.
Joh 3:22
After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.
Joh 3:23
And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
Joh 3:24
For John was not yet cast into prison.
Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying.
Joh 3:26
And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.
Joh 3:27
John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
Joh 3:28
Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.
He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
He must increase, but I must decrease.
Pastor Robbie talked about the significance of John the Baptist, how his ministry was in preparation for the coming of the Messiah, and the importance of John's work. "He must increase, but I must decrease" for Jesus is the Word made Flesh.
Lu 22:22
And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!
And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.
Lu 22:24
And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.
Pastor Robbie talked about how we sometimes compete for worldly recognition, but the only thing that is really important is that we ask ourselves, "What are we doing to spread God's word?"
The closing hymn was "Infant Holy, Infant Lowly."
