Be Watchful

The season of Advent is a time of reflection and meditation. It is the beginning of the Christian year. During Advent we prepare to celebrate the coming of Christ. In Biblical times the Hebrews awaited the coming of the Messiah. Christians today celebrate Christmas as a way of commemorating the birth of Jesus and awaiting the second coming of Christ.

The season is overridden with activities that have little to do with Advent. Contrary to its purpose, it is overrun with shopping, gifting, revelry and much rushing about. While there is nothing wrong with partaking in these events, overindulgence defeats the purpose of the season. In all of the hustle and bustle and stress, we negate the true meaning of Advent, that of thought and contemplation.

Upon first inspection in the Gospel of Luke 21:25-31 there is more of a foreboding than joy. We read of, “…distress among nations…”, “people will faint from fear…”, “…the heavens will be shaken…” That is hardly a reason to celebrate.

Upon further analysis we read, “Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” We are instructed, “ Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life.”

By not becoming overwrought with trivialities we are in a better position to think and reflect ,focus and appreciate. We are to remain watchful in readiness of the second coming of Christ. Those that are heeding, enduring and faithful will not be caught off guard. The joy of Christ will be upon them.
A pause to think
is a cause to thank
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Jeremiah 33:14-16
Psalm 25:1-9 (the Psalm will be chanted during Advent)
1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
Luke 21:25-36
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ANNOUNCEMENTS

+ FESTIVAL OF LESSONS and CAROLS- On next Sunday, December 6th, beginning at 10:00 a.m., we will have a service of Advent Lessons and Carols. This is a very special way for us to hear and proclaim the message of Advent. It will be a good Sunday to bring a friend to church. Thank you Sundra and the choir for your hard work in preparing this beautiful service for us!
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+ADVENT WREATHS- Today we made Advent wreaths and distributed prayers and different ideas for using the wreath. For the rest of the season we will be exploring Bible stories about Mary, Joseph, and the birth of Jesus. This is an especially important time to have your children at Sunday School and church because this is a season when culture has very loud and clear messages that the season is about something very different than what the church says it is about. If you want your children to grow more deeply into the “reason for the season”, make sure you get them to Sunday School!

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+CHRISTMAS PARTY DECEMBER 20th- We will plan to have a covered dish lunch this Sunday more details to be announced.

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+CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE- Rev. Sara asked for feedback on a time for Christmas Eve service. The times suggested were 4:30 and 6:30 pm.
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+DAUGHTER2DAUGHTER- will meet this Saturday, December 5th. We are hosting the second of our monthly seminars to support mothers and their daughters, ages 11-14, by giving them tools for physical, emotional and spiritual health. This month’s topic will focus on peer pressure. We continue to get more and more interest from the community about this ministry. Please support us with your prayers and by volunteering your time.

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THE ORIGIN OF THE ADVENT WREATH

The origins of the Advent wreath are found in the folk practices of the pre-Christian Germanic peoples who, during the cold December darkness of Eastern Europe, gathered wreaths of evergreen and lighted fires as signs of hope in a coming spring and renewed light.

Christians kept these popular traditions alive, and by the 16th century Catholics and Protestants throughout Germany used these symbols to celebrate their Advent hope in Christ, the everlasting Light. From Germany the use of the Advent wreath spread to other parts of the Christian world.

Traditionally, the wreath is made of four candles in a circle of evergreens. Three candles are violet and the fourth is rose, but four white candles or four violet candles can also be used. Each day at home, the candles are lighted, perhaps before the evening meal-- one candle the first week, and then another each succeeding week until December 25th. A short prayer may accompany the lighting.
by Victor Hoagland, C.P. (taken from Prayers and Customs)

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