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Praise the Lord Saints. You are listening to Spiritual Dramaturgy, a place of growth, encouragement, and exploration of biblical principles co-founded by Evangelist Izlar, and the Late Pastor James L Izlar, Jr.! The late Senior Pastor, James L Izlar, Jr., my Dad, celebrated ADVENT every year. He would tap members and friends of Brownsboro Baptist Church in Crestwood, KY and invite them to search the scriptures and share nuggets of wisdom with the awaiting congregation. He preached anointed sermons and encouraged the congregations and online communities to celebrate the birth of Jesus, while joyfully anticipating his Second Coming. This year, his wife and my mother, Undrail D. Izlar, and the entire extended Izlar family, invite you to take a special Advent journey with us as we purposely connect to JESUS, the JOY of our world and beyond. If you have your Advent wreath and candle available, we ask that you take this opportunity to light the first Advent candle, representing HOPE now. Without further ado – Join me for Advent Reflections of Hope --- What is Advent and Why should we celebrate it? For persons outside of the Christian faith, Advent is an obscure term many have limited or traditional experiences unraveling. Consumerism, gift-giving, parties, food preparation, Christmas programs and fellowship, and valued family time have often taken center stage during the Christmas season. The birth of Jesus has become distant as his name is mentioned less and less in our daily conversations. Likewise, personal prayer and bible study are secondary. For many, our desire for an intimate relationship with the Lord is great, yet our actionable commitment to him wavers. Like Bible Study, Prayer Meetings, Sunday School, Church Services, and afternoon programming, Advent is an appointed time to ensure the inclusion of Jesus in our daily, actionable schedules. During the magical time of Christmas, Advent places the focus of the Christmas season on hope, faith, joy, and love. “Advent” is derived from the Latin word adventus, meaning “coming,” which translates to the Greek word Parousia. Coming is defined by Merriam Webster as “likely to be important or successful in the future.” Hence, as Christians, we look in anticipation toward the birth of Jesus, Hymns such as: O come, all ye faithful O come, O come, Emmanuel Joy to the world! Jesus, the light of the word The songs, though varied, point to the importance of the birth and life of Jesus. As Christians, as we consider the baby Jesus in a manger, we must pointedly remember the birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ. Similarly, we must prepare for life after Jesus’ return. Hebrews 13:14 KJV 14 For this world is not our home; we are looking forward to our everlasting home in heaven. This concept of eternal life is not lost during Advent. Traditionally, Advent is a time of faith, spiritual preparation, and anticipation for the coming of the Messiah. A time of prayer, fasting, and reflection which begins four Sundays before Christmas, Advent is a sanctified time for Christians to search the scriptures to gain greater intimacy with the Lord. It is a time of fasting, prayer, and supplication. Today’s Advent focus is HOPE. Hope, defined by Merriam Webster, is “to desire with expectation of obtainment or fulfillment.” As Christians, we believe Jesus was born to a virgin, was crucified, died on the cross for the propitiation for our sins, rose again, and ascended into heaven. The prophecy foretelling Jesus’ coming, life, resurrection, and ascension is the foundation of our faith journey. He is coming back again! Like the early church expectantly looking for the arrival of Jesus, we are thanking God today for fulfilled prophesy; we are looking forward in anticipation to his Second Coming. ----- Luke 21: 7-18, and 25-28 KJV 7 And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass? 8 And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. 9 But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. 10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: 11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. 12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake. 13 And it shall turn to you for a testimony. 14 Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: 15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. 16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. 17 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake. 18 But there shall not an hair of your head perish. ----- 25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. 27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. Hallelujah! As we hope for the return of Jesus, let us rejoice like Elisabeth did. Let us not forget the miracle Jesus has already provided us. Many forget Elisabeth, Mary’s cousin, was carrying a blessing when she learned of the presence of the Savior of the World. Mary did not have to convert or convince Elisabeth of the improbable; Elisabeth understood the Power of God through her powerful testimony and, with a grateful heart, rejoiced. As noted in the scriptures, Elisabeth was barren and stricken with years, yet, through the grace of God, became the mother of John the Baptist. St. Luke 1: 41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: 42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. 43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45 And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. 46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, 47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. Halleluiah! As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, like Mary and Elisabeth, let us rejoice in the hope of the Second Advent – the Second Coming. During this Advent season, I challenged you to embark upon a spiritual journey in which you, a walking miracle, purposely work to embrace the life, resurrection, ascension, and anticipate the Second Coming of Jesus. In addition to fasting and praying, read daily Advent devotions and consider starting a family Advent Bible Study. Let us pray: Dear Lord, we pray that during this Advent season, your people will be drawn to your majesty, your glory, and your love for all mankind. We pray that you will become and remain the center of our hope, preparation, joy, and love. Today we ask that in a time of racial unrest, sickness, death, murder, and spiritual neglect, that you give us the heart to remember that you overcame death. 55 “Where, O Death, is your victory? Where, O Death, is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! Through you, Jesus, we have the hope of eternal life! Father, give us the wisdom to seek you this Advent Season and be transformed. Allow us to be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of our mind, that we may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season we will reap if we faint not. -- Thank you for listening to Spiritual Dramaturgy with your co-hosts Evangelist Izlar and the late Pastor James L Izlar, Jr. Time of Reflection: Today, in your journal, write your responses to one or more of the questions below. * Define Advent?  Why is Advent important for you and your family to celebrate? * How will you and your family celebrate Advent? *  How will you personally apply the concept of HOPE to this week's ADVENT session? Now, head over to https://linktr.ee/SpiritualDramaturgy to complete Day One of the Online Interactive Content. Each interactive exercise you submit from December 1 - 25th will give you one entry into the New Year gift-away. One blessed recipient will receive a $50.00 gift certificate to ....,and a $100.00 donation in your name to the Pastor James L Izlar, Jr. scholarship fund. Please join us tomorrow for a 3 minute Advent HOPE Devotional!