11.30-12.25 ADVENT
Our first Christmas season as a church is fast approaching and we could not be more excited about it!
As part of our celebrating the coming of Jesus we will be observing the season of Advent together in our corporate worship gatherings as well as making some tools available to help families observe the season at home. Scripture readings, candle light, and Christmas hymns will begin this Sunday and will build through the month into a wonderful celebration on Christmas Eve.
What is Advent?
Advent is the first of six seasonal rhythms that are designed for the Church to relive the story of God throughout the year. Advent comes from the latin word Adventus, meaning “coming” or “arrival”. It is a way that we can celebrate the first coming of our Lord Jesus and build anticipation in our hearts for his second coming.
In a season that is busy with shopping, family, meals, decorating, and traveling we need to be reminded of what all the busyness is about….or at least what it should be about. We are celebrating the greatest story ever told. God came to earth! Observing Advent is a way to interrupt our hectic pace and direct our hearts and minds toward Jesus. It’s designed to help us remember what God has done for us. It is a way for us to connect our hearts to the anticipation that our ancestors felt as they eagerly awaited the coming messiah. It is also a way for us to ponder and pray for Jesus’ return. He is coming again and when he does, those whom he has called and those who have trusted in his name will get to live in His Glorious Presence for all of eternity!
So rejoice, rejoice for Immanuel (God with us) has come to rescue sinners like you and me.
Schedule and Location
Celebrate Advent with us at our Sunday Morning Gatherings at John Ross Elementary, November 30 – December 21 at 10:30am. Then plan to attend our first Christmas Eve Service on December 24th at 5pm! Bring your family, bring your friends. Lets celebrate the coming Jesus, our rescuer!
Resources
If you would like to celebrate Advent at home by yourself or with your family here is an amazing guide put together by The Village Church: Advent Guide. It walks through a weekly devotional as well as practical activities that you can do as a family that will point your hearts toward the coming of the Messiah. We love partnering with parents to help their kids grow as followers of Jesus, and we hope this helps you grow together.
Daily readings for Advent | Great News of Great Joy by John Piper
Let’s enter in to this season of waiting with anticipation for the coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ!
-Chris Clark