’tis the Season
The trappings of the Christmas season often distract us from the reason for the season. It has been said that “It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” and I concur. But it can also be the busiest, most trying time of the year. For many, the desire for Christmas to be over is almost as prevalent as the desire for Christmas to arrive. If you’re tired of the holidays by the time it’s Christmas then you haven’t been celebrating Advent.
What is Advent? Let’s start with what it’s not:
Advent is not: decorations, shopping, wrapping, pictures, parties, stressing, or the receiving of gifts.
Advent is: waiting, expecting, observing, praying, hoping, and preparing for the arrival of Christ – first as child and Savior, and then as the returning King.
The advent tradition is observed during the four Sundays before Christmas when we commemorate Christ’s birth, and anticipate Christ’s return. We light purple, pink, and white candles in the advent wreath and follow a liturgy of scripture, contemplation, and prayer that brings our thoughts into focus each week – clearing our minds of holiday distractions by preparing our hearts for the coming Christ.
“Come, Thou great Redeemer. Come, Emmanuel. Bless the nations with Your presence here. Born our souls to rescue. Born to save Your very own. Long-expected Jesus, make our hearts Your home.”
The holidays may bring the burden of expectations, but advent brings the joy of expectation! Instead of waiting for Christmas to be over, start longing for Christ to arrive.
Join us on Sunday, December 7 at 5:00 p.m. as the Music Ministry of Eastmont Baptist Church presents “A Musical Mosaic of Christmas.”
Celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.