In many Christian traditions, the 4th Sunday before Christmas Day marks the First Sunday of Advent; you may frequently hear about Advent Candles and Calendars, and wonder what it is all about?

The word Advent means “coming” or “arrival.” The focus of the entire season is preparation to celebrate the birth of Jesus the Christ in his First Advent, and the anticipation of the return of Christ the King in his Second Advent. Thus, Advent is far more than simply marking a two thousand year old event in history. It is celebrating a truth about God, the revelation of God in Christ whereby all of creation might be reconciled to God. We remember that he came once and he promised to come again!

Advent is marked by a spirit of expectation, of anticipation, of preparation, of longing. There is a yearning for deliverance from the evils of the world, first expressed by Israelite slaves in Egypt as they cried out from their bitter oppression. It is our cry today, as we join with H L Turner and ask ”O Lord Jesus, how long, how long, ere we shout the glad song?” He is coming again, praise the Lord! A very Merry Christmas to you and your family.