Looking forward and looking back, remembering and anticipating are two ways to explain the meaning of Advent. The Season of Advent lasts for four Sundays leading up to Christmas. Advent begins on the Sunday that falls between November 27th and December 3rd each year.
The word “Advent” means “Coming.” Advent looks forward to the Second coming of Christ when all believers will join Him in His eternal kingdom. This is the time spoken of in Revelation when God will “wipe away every tear….There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain” for the believer. It is also Christ’s coming in the clouds as the judge of the world. Matthew 25:32-33 describes how the believers will be separated from the unbelievers. The believers will receive their eternal life reward in heaven and the unbelievers will be condemned to eternal punishment, separated forever from God’s presence.
Advent also looks back to the time when God sent his only begotten Son into the world, the promised Messiah, to save us from our sins. The coming of Christ into the world was a long expected and anticipated event. The beauty of Christ’s coming is in the simplicity of His birth. Born to the virgin Mary, laid in a manger, and visited by humble shepherds who first heard the message of His arrival from Angels who visited them while they watched over their flocks by night.
During the next four Sundays different members of the church will help us celebrate the dual “coming” of our Lord. Candles of HOPE, PEACE, JOY and LOVE will be lit leading up to Christmas Eve Worship when we light the CHRIST candle. Join us in worship each Sunday including our special Christmas Celebration concert at 5pm on December 10th followed by a reception in the fellowship hall.
Make the worshipful celebration of Christ’s coming a priority for this Christmas Season.
In His Love,
Charles
