celebrating advent
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights...
James 1:17
Christmas is almost here!
It's a time of thanks and giving, family traditions, love, joy, and so much more. Every Sunday this December, we take time to reflect on the true reason for the season, Jesus Christ, with Christmas Advent.
Advent is a time leading up to Christmas when we light a candle that symbolizes one of the most important parts of the holiday and Christ's unconditional love for us. It's a season to celebrate the wait and preparation for the Nativity of Jesus and His return!
We honor advent using candles, which are near and dear to our hearts! For us, Christmas Advent is also a beautiful way to bring praise to God with the very candles He has blessed us with.
Join us as we celebrate this Christmas Advent!
1st Sunday of Advent: hope
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned...
For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given...And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:2+6
The Prophet's Candle. We can remain strong in our hope that dark days cannot last when an overwhelming light in Jesus is always there. It was prophesied that a child would be born to save the world, and we celebrate that great news on Christmas Day!
2nd Sunday of Advent: faith
"You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob's descendants forever; his kingdom will never end."
"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"
The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God...For no word from God will ever fail."
Luke 1:31-37
Bethlehem's Candle. It is faith that the impossible can be made real through Jesus. He can move mountains, overcome any obstacle, and save us from our sins when we believe in Him. Just as Mary placed her faith in God's Word, so should we.
3rd Sunday of Advent: joy
Then the angel said to them,
"Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger."
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
"Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"
Luke 2:10-14
The Shepherd's Candle. Good Tidings of GREAT JOY! What a celebration is Christ's birth! This is the moment, now and forever, we are saved. This is the joy we experience throughout the year and during the holiday season. We are saved!
Final Sunday of Advent: love
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
The Angel's Candle. Christmas Day is about God's love. He gave us Jesus, God in the flesh, to walk with us and rescue us from sin. Christ prepared our way; all we have to do is have hope and faith in Him. His love does the rest.
This holiday, remember to take time to reflect on advent and celebrate the reason for the season. Thank you for joining us to celebrate this most wonderful time of the year!