Goodbye - Hello

Last night I was at a ceilidh organised by the teenagers at Davidson's Mains church in aid of the Nkhoma Hospital Project in Malawi. It was a great night, with lots of dancing, food, and chat. The Wild Cigarillos provided the music and directions for the dances. They are a great band.

When we danced the eightsome reel, for the section called the Grand Chain, where the 4 man and 4 ladies circle in opposite directions passing from hand to hand, our dance director called out Hello, Goodbye, Hello, Goodbye, to keep us all together.

As I reflect on leading worship at Bridgend and at Winchburgh this morning, I find the same words coming to mind. Goodbye, Hello, Goodbye, Hello; for this morning was my final Sunday with those two congregations. Goodbye, indeed.

But today is also Advent Sunday, the day we begin to look forward to Christmas, when we celebrate the arrival of Jesus Christ into the world. Hello, indeed.

The following extract from my sermon today is particularly appropriate for Advent Sunday.

In John 17, Jesus prayed for his disciples and all who would come after them, “May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

That has been God’s purpose since the beginning of Creation. That you would come to know Him. That was why He came as Jesus. That was why He died on the Cross.

God’s love is not a weak love. It is the strongest love.

In John chapter 15, Jesus describes the greatest love, “Greater love has no-one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” And Jesus calls you, his Friend. That is how much He loves you - to die for you.

Jesus continues his prayer, “I want those you have given me, to be with me where I am, and to see my glory.”

This is Jesus’ request to God, his Father. He wants you, his followers, to be with him - to see his glory.”

This is an echo of what Jesus told his disciples in John chapter 14, “In my Father’s house there are many rooms. I am going there to prepare a place for you.”

Yes, that is what Jesus said. You’ll have your own room, with your name on it, just waiting for you to check in.

Some of us will get there sooner than others. But it’s not only about us.

This innkeeper has enough rooms for everybody who wants to come.

But how will people want to come if they don’t know about the offer?

Everyone who makes and sells a product works very hard to advertise it as much as they can. If people don’t know about it, they won’t buy it.

But we know about the offer, and Jesus has given us the job of spreading that message, that Good News. Each of you has your part to play - not on your own, but together, united as a congregation, and united with God.

As a certain Bank Manager said recently, “Together you can do it.”