Sermon: The feeling of expectation (Advent 3)

The feeling of expectation always warms our hearts with hope.

For those who are still in school, in college or in any kind of educational

programs there is the hope of completing the requirements and be able

For those who are still working and becoming seasoned in age are

hoping for the time when they can meet their requirements for

retirement to be able to enjoy some “free time” to pursuit those hobbies

There are people who are expecting for something to be resolved in their

Let me tell you the story of a salvadoran man named Jose Figueroa. He

has been given Sanctuary at the Walnut Grove Lutheran Church in the

Vancouver area, Canada, in order to avoid deportation to El Salvador.

Jose has not left the church in about two (2) years awaiting for the

Immigration authorities to grant him a visa so that he can stay in Canada

legally with his wife and his Canadian children. He has the expectation

that people of goodwill will continue to support him morally and

spiritually thru the movement “We are Jose.” I decided to be part of that

movement so, I am Jose. Like Jose, I am hoping for the best too.

We all have experienced those feelings of expectation.

We also have the expectation in the coming of Jesus, the savior of the

We are in our third Sunday of Advent. We are waiting for the coming of

our Lord Jesus Christ. We long for his coming to be with God. What a

Day. What a Day indeed!

The writer of Philippians give us some words of encouragement when

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your

gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.

Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and

supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

And he goes on to remind us that:

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your

hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

We all need these words of encouragement in these days of darkness.

When we hear of wars, violence, and destruction. We all need the peace

that only God can provide for us.

The Gospel reading this morning reports the sensation of those who

were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts

concerning John, John the Baptist of course.

They were asking themselves questions as to who was this man who has

come to baptize them. We sometimes ask similar questions about our

ministers. Why are they doing this or that?

That is fine. It is okay to ask questions.

That is how we get some clarification. It is better to ask questions than

to stay in the dark. We all need some light as to what we are doing and

John answered to the crowd by saying, "I baptize you with water; but

one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the

That person is Jesus Christ. The Savior of the world. John added that

Jesus will baptize people with the Holy Spirit and fire.

And so, we continue in our walk toward God, in faith, as we wait for his

coming in glory. Amen.