Why Advent?
Our hope for this year’s Advent calendar is to inspire and awaken in you and your family a fresh eagerness to embrace the greatest story and celebration of all, the arrival of the Kings of Kings as a baby. And what a story it is–it changes everything! The story of Jesus is where the awe and wonder of Advent comes from!
The word “Advent” expresses an intent of awaited arrival and the start of something new and special. During the Christmas season, Advent has traditionally been built on four weeks of truths that guide our hearts and minds toward the coming of the Christ child: hope, love, joy, and peace. These are words and truths that we long for and are desperate to cling to, but also words and truths found in the person of Jesus Christ.
Be Transformed
In the midst of a well-known passage on the coming of the Messiah, we find Isaiah 9:2:
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness.”
When was the last time you let yourself be still in the dark, waiting for the sunlight? Find a morning in the coming days to get up before the sun. Go outside, and allow yourself to wait for the sunrise. Ask God to meet you there. If you’re able to do so, build a watchfire. Use all five senses to take in the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and feelings as the night breaks toward the dawn. You’ll notice how the light transforms everything it touches. Let the awe and wonder of Advent change the way you experience Christ’s love in this season.
Merry Christmas
May Jesus be fresh on all our minds and hearts as we look forward to celebrating Christ’s birth together. Know that we are praying for you and your family.