Welcome to Our World: Reflections on Luke 3:7-18

December 09, 2012 by Alyce McKenzie

Continued from Page 1

Understanding John's Sermon Today

I'm still sitting here waiting for my plane to Dallas. It occurs to me that our job as 21st-century hearers of John's sermon from Luke is to welcome Jesus to Tucson. Not the perfect Tucson, beautifully cool in December, artfully retouched for tourist consumption, but the Tucson that struggles—like any city—with crime, drug trafficking, domestic abuse and poverty. My job when I get home will be to welcome Jesus to Allen, Texas.

Chris Rice's lyrics end with words that focus on the gift of the Savior's coming to our world:

So wrap our injured Flesh around you
Breathe our air and walk our sod
Rob our sin and make us holy,
Perfect Son of God. Welcome to our world.

Bring Your peace into our violence.
Bid our hungry souls be filled.
Word now breaking Heaven's silence.
Welcome to our world.
Welcome to our world.

In Advent, we remember that we have a job to do—to welcome Jesus the Savior into our lives by repentance and participation.

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12/9/2012 5:00:00 AM

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About Alyce McKenzie

Alyce M. McKenzie is the George W. and Nell Ayers Le Van Professor of Preaching and Worship at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University.

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