"Advent" means the coming or arrival, especially of something extremely important. People waited hundreds of years for the promised Messiah and when he arrived, few recognized him. We have a homemade felt Advent tree and when our children were young, we read through the Old Testament scriptures which told of Jesus' coming. The girls took turns putting a corresponding symbol on the tree each day. We still hang the banner every December.
Advent is a time of anticipation, reflection and realization of what a world without Christ is like. Psalm 126 is one of today's Advent readings. May you experience the joy of salvation today.
...Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us!
What joy!
What joy!
Restore our fortunes, Lord,
as streams renew the desert.
as streams renew the desert.
Those who plant in tears
will harvest with shouts of joy.
They weep as they go to plant their seed,
but they sing as they return with the harvest.
Almighty and most merciful Father, we come to the season of Advent with the brokenness of the world in our eyes,
the cries of our fellow human beings in our ears and our own sinfulness in our hearts.
We come to Bethlehem, as those who need a Savior. We come to the light because the darkness has almost overwhelmed us,
but the darkness can never overcome You.
We come to Bethlehem as invited guests; to see, to wonder and to be changed by the Child Messiah who is Jesus.
For his sake, and by his grace, forgive our sins.
Give us hope and eternal life. Help us to move through a worldly holiday of excess
to a worshipful Advent and Christmas.
For Jesus’ sake, and through Jesus we pray. Amen.
