Volume XII Issue 10
December 2009
That Advent Feeling Advent begins this Sunday. If you look up the definition of advent you will find it defined as “The coming or arrival, especially of something extremely important.” The experience of advent, therefore, depends upon our belief that “something extremely important” is coming. You don’t have to explain to a small children the meaning of advent, because they know they are waiting for something extremely important. But do we, as adults, still feel the same sense of anticipation? Anticipation can be a wonderful experience. As a boy I remember thinking that Christmas would never come. Each day felt like an eternity. The more eagerly I awaited Christmas, the slower it seemed to come. Those little calendars, that you would open one door a day until Christmas, did not help. I remember fighting the temptation to open all the doors ahead of time. Perhaps that would speed the arrival of Christmas. As I have aged, this sense of anticipation has waned. I guess it is because the gifts are less important to me or maybe it is the shear number of Christmas mornings that I have experienced. But I miss that feeling of advent. Could it be that as my childhood sense of advent has faded I have failed to replace it with an adult advent? I think that is true. Consider the words of the angel in Luke 2:10-11: “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” On Christmas we celebrate the most important event in history. Unfortunately, the world has turned it into something else, a secular consumer holiday, and its sense of advent has faded. I have a suggestion. Take some time during the season of advent and reflect upon the “good news” and “great joy” that Christmas represents. Allow yourself to feel the excitement of Christmas eve as we gather at Cody’s Farm for a live nativity or at our 11:00 p.m. candlelight service. Imagine the humble birth of this tiny infant boy, thousands of years ago, and what would become of his life. Christmas is an awesome event that we can still anticipate with a sense of advent. We need to allow its importance to reemerge in our lives. Not an easy task, given all of the distractions, but if you take the time, that childhood excitement, that sense of advent will return. It is time to get excited. Pastor Keck Perhaps a special Christmas gift would also increase your sense of anticipation. We have one for you. Starting in January, we will be launching a new community web service, devoted to building Christian community. It is called The City and it is a communication, news and organization service that will greatly increase our ability to stay connected. It is simple to use, yet extremely useful. Imagine if you could get just the information and communications you want without having to “drink from the fire hose” of endless announcements. You sign up for your groups and activities in the church and just those areas are quickly and conveniently communicated to you. Sign up for an event. Check your giving statement online. Donate online. These are just some of the gifts coming in January.