Advent

Advent time is here again. This is a time that we observe and contemplate the birth of Christ. It is also a time to remind us (which we should keep ready at all times) that as our Lord came once, he is coming again.

We should take this time to reflect on what really happened that first Christmas. The harsh realities of the dark stank stable, the cold night, and the door to the inn closed. And most importantly we should reflect and rejoice that in that time, God came into our mist. This is something that's not only happened in the past, but is still happening in the lives of repentant believers still today through the work of the Holy Spirit.

Advent is not only a celebration of the anniversary of our Lord who came, but is an opportunity to consider the future, the second advent, the promised coming of God's kingdom on earth. (Revelation 22:20, 2Peter 3:13) We should never forget the grandness of what happened in the small town of Bethlehem. We are all familiar with the nativity scene, a small precious child laying in a manger, shepherds coming to see the king, wise men bringing gifts...this is all relevant and to be recognized. Yet the one thing we should always remember is that baby that laid in that manger is the same man who was crucified on the cross at the hill of Golgotha. The same man who promised to return in all His splendor and glory bringing His kingdom with Him.

They have wreaths, calendars, devotional books and on and on for the entire month of advent. I urge anyone to take part in such things and enjoy them. But I cannot stress enough, in this season, don't get wrapped up with the holiday rush around and all the consumerism that commercials and retailers are shoving on us. Remember the old saying, "Jesus IS the reason for the season. "

I ask that we all take some time this Christmas season and examine ourselves in the light of the gospel to see how far we are from Christ and what is our character of His faith and love. How many of us share the longing of the prophets for the Messiah to come. Mother Theresa once noted that the first person to welcome Christ was John the Baptist, who leaped for joy on recognizing him, though both of them were still in their mother's wombs. (Luke 1:39-45) Do you welcome Jesus into your lives like this? Do you recognize him for who he really was and not just some holiday we celebrate every year to give gifts?

I wanted to do this advent topic because most churches don't celebrate advent. Its lost in the consumerism and rush of the season. Most of my ideas and the Mother Theresa info came from the book, Watch For the Light, reading for advent and Christmas. A good read I recommend.

My prayer for all is that we forget the hustle and bustle of the season, that we forget how work is going, that we forget how the economy's doing, and that we concentrate on the one thing that really does matter, Jesus of Nazareth

With love,

C.

Luke 1:39-45
Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.”