Christmas trees are going up, lights are appearing on eaves, the rain and cold are coming more often, and the stores are gettin' busier and busier. Here we are at the first Sunday of December, and the first Sunday of the Church season of Advent. If you're not aware, Advent has been celebrated by the Christian church since about the 6th century, over the four Sundays leading up to Christmas. "Advent" means "coming," or "appearing," and is a time when we reflect on the wonder of Christ's first coming into our midst to bear our sin, and we reflect with (hopefully) great longing toward his 2nd appearing, when He'll come to finally receive His Church to Himself, and establish His coming kingdom on the earth.
I don't need to get into all the liturgical aspects that some churches incorporate into their corporate gatherings for Advent, but I do want to encourage a purposeful time of reflection over the next several weeks, as we sing Christmas-themed songs of reflection and worship, and reflect on the Gospel in a unique way. Hopefully the month of December is rich for us as we gather to worship as a local church, and as we dive into the glories and depths of the Gospel. May the Christmas season for our church family last longer, and have even more significance than a one-day celebration.
I'll be posting more specific thoughts on Advent, and on Christ's incarnation, etc., as we go along. Check back often for Advent resources to aid your worship this season.
Looking forward to kicking off our Christmas worship gatherings tomorrow morning. Here's what we'll sing together:
1. Joy to the World (Unspeakable Joy)
2. Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
3. Angels We Have Heard On High
4. O Come All Ye Faithful
Very cool. Thanks for leading us in worship this advent/ Christmas season. The core of the gospel is found in the first and second advent of Christ. It is certainly very good news. ;) Come quickly.
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