This Advent, C4SO’s theme is “His Kingdom Come.” The kingdom of God on earth came first through Creation, then through Christ’s Advent, and will culminate in His final coming. God’s presence throughout scripture ties together this ancient longing for kingdom past, present and future.

On our blog and social media during Advent, we will feature scriptural paintings by the Rev. Lauri Diamond of Redemption Anglican Church that represent God’s presence, from the Garden of Eden; to Abraham and the sacrifice of Isaac under the countless stars; to the presence of God both entering and leaving the temple; to Christ as suffering servant in front of Gethsemane and the cross. Together we will visually explore the scripture narrative, meditating on how the kingdom has come and longing ever more for its fullness.

Second Sunday of Advent
(Sunday, December 10)

The presence of God went before Moses as he led the Hebrew nation out of slavery. Having God’s presence as a constant guide foreshadows how we will have access to the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives to be our daily guide.

~Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.
Exodus 14:21

 ~For you, O Lord, are seen face to face, and your cloud stands over them and you go before them, in a pillar of cloud by day and in a pillar of fire by night.
Numbers 14:14

~And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
John 14:16-17

[Painting by the Rev. Lauri Diamond. Meditation used with permission of Redemption Church.]