Anticipating the Promise of Christmas

“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them. He has raised up a mighty savior for us in the house of his servant David.”  
(Luke 1:68-69, NRSV)

I don’t know about you, but I am definitely ready for this Advent season and Christmas.  Actually, to be honest, I am not at all prepared as there is so much still to do.  But I am ready for the Advent season to enter into my life.  Advent means that we begin a new Christian liturgical year focusing particularly on the promised arrival of God’s Word in the Flesh into our earthly midst.  It’s a refocusing time whereby we are reminded that being Christian necessarily means being focused on Christ.  Interesting that Advent comes at the end of our yearly calendar, after we have pushed and pulled, climbed and fallen, laughed and cried through almost the whole calendar year.  Advent caps off the calendar year, while concurrently beginning the Christian liturgical year.

As we reflect on the eleven previous months of 2015, both celebrating accomplishments we have realized as well as internalizing actions we will do different next time, let us also look with anticipation upon the new year that is before us.  Let us be mindful of inviting the people who are important to us into that same anticipation.  For, when you really stop and think about it, our Lord God has looked favorably on us, and has redeemed us through raising up a mighty Savior in the person of Jesus Christ.   

In this Advent season, may each of us generously share that favor through our invitation of others to join in the experience of the peace, love, joy and hope that comes with the arrival of Christ into our lives, both by our example set in daily living and by our intentional invitation to come join in our various Advent services and events.  May you be filled with the Advent anticipation of the delivered promise of Christmas.  

Peace and blessings to you, family, and community …   Pastor Bob