Advent at Christmas TIme

Greetings to all my family and friends at Church Alive and beyond,

For many in the body of Christ, this is the season of Advent. I did not grow up celebrating Advent nor did I have any idea what it is. People from more traditional and orthodox backgrounds were talking about Advent trees and wreathes. I discretely looked about me diligently when I went outside trying to identify an Advent tree. Now, I laugh at myself and my ignorance! The word “Advent” is defined as the coming or the touching down. It describes the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ coming to earth.

An Advent tree is a flat paper tree with 25 daily pockets. Each pocket has a verse enclosed that describes and leads up to the coming or birth of Jesus on Christmas Day. An Advent wreath is a series of four candles arranged in a circle with a fifth exalted candle in the middle. Each week a candle is lit, a scripture is read, and a song is sung to announce differing events building up to the coming of Jesus. The exalted candle in the middle is the Christ Candle and is lit Christmas morning with the reading of the Christmas story in Luke chapter 2 and the singing of “Away In The Manger” or something of that ilk.

My wife was part of a church family in Tennessee that practiced an Advent wreath. She became jazzed about it and brought it into our marriage and home. Then, after we and our children enjoyed it, we introduced it to the churches we pastor. I am sorry we will not be doing this at Christmas this year. Because we are still finishing our facility and have cramped space, we will take it up next year.

As we have practiced Advent in past years, a specific scripture passage has come to mind. It is found in Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 and says this, “The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them. For a child will be born to us; a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David or His kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord will accomplish this.”

Christmas means that God came to us; to be near to us. We could not get near to Him without Him initiating a way to be reconciled to Himself. That way is our Savior, Jesus Christ. Receive Him as the way, truth, and the life. That is the only way to The Father and our greatest gift at Christmas. Rejoice in God our Savior!

Pastor Tony