ADVENT

Last Sunday was the first Sunday of "ADVENT." The word Advent refers to the birth of the Christ child. The focus of the entire season of Advent is the celebration of His coming to earth, as a baby, and our waiting for the return of Christ the King in his second Advent. So, Advent is far more than simply marking an event in history. It is celebrating the truth of God; the revelation of God in Christ whereby all of creation might be reconciled to the Father. That is a process in which we participate when we accept Christ as our Savior. When you read Scriptures for Advent, they should reflect not only about His birth, but also on His Second coming, and should include Scriptures that deal with forgiveness for sin, accountability for faithfulness at His coming, judgment on unforgiven sin, and the hope of eternal life.

In this dual focus on past and future, Advent also symbolizes the spiritual journey that individuals and congregations take, as they affirm that Christ has come to them, that He is present in the world today, and that He will one day return in power to set up His kingdom. That understanding and acknowledgment provides a basis for Kingdom ethics, ie., for holy living arising from a profound sense that we live "between the times" and are called to be faithful stewards of what is entrusted to us as God's people. So, as we in the church celebrate what we call the Incarnation, and anticipate a future consummation to that history for which "all creation is groaning awaiting its redemption," it also confesses its own responsibility as a people commissioned to not only "love the Lord your God with all your heart" but, also to "love your neighbor as yourself", by sharing about the saving Grace that Jesus Christ has given so freely to everyone that will accept it.

May GOD truly bless YOU this Advent Season!