I have to keep reminding myself that it really is already Advent. I love the season of Advent and all that it stands for. It is one of the many things that I am thankful for when it comes to being a part of a church that celebrates all these different parts of the church year. Advent and Christmas are two different church ‘seasons’ and they have different meanings.
Advent is exactly what the name implies. Dictionary.com defines the word advent as a coming into place, view, or being; arrival. So, Advent is the time of the church year when we await the coming or arrival of Jesus Christ into the world. It is a time of anticipation, expectation, and wonder of what is about to happen next.
While the world (in general) rushes to play Christmas music and put presents under the tree and place the Nativity sets with Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus along with the angels, shepherds and wise men, Advent is a time to anxiously wait for that coming.
It is also a time to think about and recognize that we live in a time when Christ has already come, and we wait for his coming again into the world. We have a glimpse of the kingdom of God and yet we know that it is not fully realized yet. That is what is so wonderful about Advent in general and about our theme that we have adopted from A Sanctified Art this year. We are “Close to Home” yet we know that we are not fully there yet.
We know what home looks like, smells like, and feels like, and yet we are not able to fully live into it yet. Close to Home also recognizes the tension in our own earthly lives that during the season of Advent and Christmas and other major holy days it brings up memories of home that may be difficult due to loss and hurt.
That is why it is so important to be with our church family this Advent season. To recognize that every time we come together to worship our awesome God we are one step closer to fully knowing and experiencing what it means to be Home. Come and join our church family; come and join Bethlehem this Advent as we together, wait and anticipate with joy, worry, wonder, and excitement at what is coming next. Come worship and celebrate being close(r) to home.
Advent Blessings,
Pastor Brian
