December 2018
Dear Friends,
Season change so fast, it seems we were just celebrating the independence of our country and here we are now in Advent. The word Advent as described in www.umc.org, comes from the Latin word adventus meaning “coming” or “visit.” The season of Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas and ends on Christmas Eve. Advent is the beginning of the Christian year.
During Advent, we prepare for, and anticipate, the coming of Christ. We remember the longing of Jews for a Messiah and our own longing for, and need of, forgiveness, salvation and a new beginning. Even as we look back and celebrate the birth of Jesus in a humble stable in Bethlehem, we also look forward anticipating the second coming of Christ as the fulfillment of all that was promised by his first coming.
Each Sunday of Advent we light the candles that are included in the Advent Wreath. At each of the four worship services we focus on one of the four virtues Jesus brings us: Hope, Love, Joy and Peace. On Christmas Eve we light the Christ Candle celebrating the birth of our Savior. The season of Christmas starts on Christmas Eve and spans the next twelve days.
Enjoy the Advent season by taking time to be with God remembering the hope, the love, the joy and the peace that comes from having Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
I wish you a blessed Advent and a wonderful Christmas.
Pastor Deb