M o n t h l y N e w s f r o m F P C Ty l e r • Vo l u m e 1 2 , I s s u e 1 2 : D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 7
The Prince of Peace in a World of Turmoil by The Rev. Dr. Stuart Baskin I sense that our world is in turmoil, more than usual. Around the world there are organizations and even nations threatening harm to us and innocents in other places. At home, our nation feels more divided than it has been in my memory. Some researchers claim that we are really no more divided on issues than we have been, but it certainly doesn’t seem that way to me. It could be true that we aren’t really any farther apart on issues than before, but that people’s tolerance level for differences of opinion is stretched thin. It seems to me that more and more people in our culture today resort to violence to solve differences, where at one time they might have done nothing more than exchange words. We are fast approaching the seasons of Advent and Christmas. They couldn’t come at a better time. Call me crazy, but in this day and age or turmoil, I have a heightened sense of need for the Prince of Peace. Given our turbulent times, Advent feels like the right model for life today: It is a time of waiting for the coming of the Messiah, the Anointed One to usher in God’s kingdom of peace. For much of my life, Advent was simply a liturgical season. We sing beloved hymns like O come, O come, Emmanuel, we light
candles on the Advent Wreath, and we decorate the Sanctuary. Now, it takes on a more urgent feel. Before, Advent was a time to decorate our homes, to prepare for Christmas Day and the gathering of family around the Christmas tree and the feast at an over-laden table. Advent was easy, because we know that on December 25, Christmas would be here. But this year, Advent has taken on a different feel, because our sense of waiting is for a day and a time that we do not know. Just as little children feel a sense impatience when Christmas Day seems impossibly far away, so I feel a sense of impatience as I wait for the coming day of peace, when the Prince of Peace comes to establish his kingdom. Could it be that Advent presents us with an opportunity? Perhaps Advent provides us with important clues for how to live in tumultuous times. It reminds to keep our eyes looking forward, because God’s kingdom is coming. It reminds us to be active in preparing for the coming kingdom, because preparation always involves action. Perhaps more than anything, Advent calls us to a sense of hope, even in darkest times. So the opportunity before us is this: our Advent preparation can teach us how to wait patiently and expectantly for God’s coming kingdom.
i n t h i s i s s u e | H I G H L I G H T S & F E AT U R E S FPC Christmas Services | pg 3
Advent 2017 | Pg 5
Christmas Poinsettias | Pg 5
Join us for Christmas services celebrated this season.
FPC shares books for study and reflection during the Advent season.
Help support our Fine Arts program by ordering poinsettias for the Sanctuary at Christmas. First Presbyterian Church of Tyler, Texas 230 West Rusk Street, Tyler, Texas 75701-1696 (903) 597-6317 | www.fpctyler.com