I love Advent! There's something about this season that really appeals to me. Our spiritual radar is up as we expectantly await the arrival (advent) of something important. Is it the decorations? No, although they are pretty cool. The Christmas music? No, but I do love the songs of the season. A Charlie Brown Christmas? No, although it's one of my faves!
I think that I love Advent because it turns our attention to the presence of the Savior. At no other time during the Christian Year are we so in tune with the reason for Christ's birth. God came to us to save us! But in order for Christ to die for our sins - first, He had to be born...
"The Word became flesh and dwelt among us."
John 1:14
Jesus was somebody that nobody would have expected to be the Savior of the world. An ordinary person, born to ordinary parents in an ordinary town - an unlikely Savior...
"He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him,
nothing in His appearance that we should desire Him."
Isaiah 53:2b
Just when you think that you have Him figured out - Jesus does the unexpected! You didn't see it coming, didn't feel it coming, but there's a blessing that you didn't expect.
Sometimes the unexpected gift is the best gift of all, for it shows that someone thought about you, even when you weren't thinking of them (thank you, Aunt Belle!). My Aunt Belle would always have extra gifts of candy or cookies for the unexpected friends that we would bring to Christmas dinner. Who does that??
Even when we weren't thinking about Him, Jesus came. When we were deep in sin, Jesus came. When we rejected Him, still - Jesus came to us - Emmanuel, God with us! Who would've imagined it? Who would've expected Him to care so much about US!
"But God proves His love for us in that while we
were still sinners Christ died for us."
Romans 5:8
And we have an opportunity to dwell on that truth together, to bask in the presence of Christ for the next four weeks! To think about what hope, peace, joy, and love look like in these trying times. And how the unexpected light of Christ changes everything!
I hope you'll join me on this journey into Advent, Everyday Advent, as we explore unexpected blessings from an unlikely Savior whose power is unparalleled!
Jesus came in such an unexpected way - who would imagine that this little baby would be the King of Kings!
An excerpt from Pastor Linda’s Everyday Advent devotions.
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Rodney (RJ) Cooper Memorial will be held on Saturday, December 2, 10:00 am at the Friendship Village Chapel. The family will not hold their gathering at the church.
UWF Cookie Walk will be on Saturday, December 2, 9:00-11:00am. Choose from an assortment of delicious cookies and gingerbread people!
Consecration Sunday continues this Sunday. Please bring your pledge cards and your faith, and together we will pray for God’s continued provision for the coming year. As our memory verse reminds us: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! (Philippians 4:13)
Advent Events will be forthcoming! Check your email or the website for the Cantata, Advent Adventures, and all things Advent! The churchwide Advent study will be: The Heart That Grew Three Sizes. It’s based on the Seuss favorite How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Could it be that the one thing we hate is the one thing that changes our lives? Join us for a lively discussion, video, and meal! The study starts on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 6:30pm, with a potluck dinner at 5:45pm.
Christmas Eve we will celebrate twice! We will have our regular Sunday morning worship at 10:00am. Then we will return at 5:00pm for a time of carol singing, storytelling, and candle lighting. There will be no service on Christmas Day.
Blessings,
Pastor Linda