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Page 28
2016 Worship Guide
December 7, 2016
A Lincoln Daily News Publication
“Expectations!”
Pastor Kenneth D. Kramer Jr., of
St. John’s United Church of Christ
A
dvent and Christmas bring the
“Season of Expectations.” It is the
season when we sing “Come, Thou Long
Expected Jesus” and “O Come, O Come,
Emmanuel” as we wait for the one who
shall be called “Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince
of Peace.”
This year the expectation is heightened
by the many concerns that embrace our
world: e.g. the poverty of many and the
current economic struggle of the middle
class, for many just to keep their homes.
Then there are the disasters of global
warming with the flooding and violent
storms, and the stress of the Presidential
Election. And of course, the terror
strikes, wars and rumors of war and gun
violence that have us yearning for peace
and goodwill for all.
I have noticed over the years that when
our distress is great, the sooner we wish
for Christmas to come. I believe it is
more than just a marketing ploy, that we
put up our Christmas lights right after
Halloween; for we seek to express a
beacon of hope to a “weary world.” It is
during these harder times that the buying
of many gifts seems less important than
the care of our spiritual needs.
So we wait, lighting the candles to
dispel the darkness, that will announce
the “Good News that should be for all
people” that “unto us is born this day a
Savior who is Christ the Lord.”
So, this Advent, we wait; to seek God’s
blessing upon us for a new future God
has promised us in the baby born in
Bethlehem.
Yes, it is a great season of “Expectation”
for Lincoln and for the world. May
our hearts grow with anticipation and
excitement for our Lord Jesus Christ.
Merry Christmas, people of Lincoln,
from St. John UCC. May you have a
very blessed New Year.
Kenneth D. Kramer Jr., Pastor