Advent

As the Christmas season approaches, we, as the Church, set about preparing ourselves to remember the humble arrival of our King. For those familiar with the Church’s calendar, this season is called Advent, which roughly means “coming.” Like the Israelites in exile, we are waiting for our Messiah to return and to “make all things new” (Rev. 21:5) by remembering that God became flesh (Phil. 2:5-11, John 1:1-5) on that first Christmas. We can joyfully anticipate the second arrival of Christ because of His first– the two events are inextricably linked.

Awaiting our
coming King

Advent is meant to be a season of praying, fasting, and waiting. Advent is a season to mourn the violence in our world and anticipate the Prince of Peace, a season to lament the brokenness in our society and anticipate the justice of God, and a season to repent of the sin in our own hearts and anticipate the redemption of Christ.

Although it may seem counter to the festivities of Christmas, it is important to practice and remember nonetheless. While it is meant to be a season of great joy, that joy must be anchored in the incarnation of Christ and not in the traditions of the holiday. 

So together amongst the merriment and cheer, let’s wait and anticipate our coming King.

Praying the
Scriptures

In the Advent season, the first two weeks (Nov. 29 - Dec. 12) anticipate Christ’s Second coming and the second two weeks (Dec. 13 - Dec. 24) anticipate Christ’s birth. We have prepared six weeks worth of scriptures, prayer, and reflections for you and your family to engage with. Each week four passages from varying portions of scripture, a prayer, and a thought to reflect upon.

If you are doing these alone, consider doing them in place of your normal prayer or devotional time. If you are doing these as a family set aside time to read through these prayer and passages together. Be sure to include children as much as you are able to help them get a sense of the season. Have them help you read a passage or say a prayer out loud together.

However you decided to engage with these prayers and scriptures, give yourself the space to be patient, to wait, and to anticipate the coming of our King.

Calendar

Advent Week 1 | Nov. 27 - Dec. 3
Advent Week 2 | Dec. 4 - 10
Advent Week 3 | Dec. 11 - 17
Advent Week 4 | Dec. 17 - 24
Christmas | Dec. 25- Jan. 5
Epiphany | Jan. 6- 9