Advent
Advent is often thought of as a fun tradition with candles, gifts, wreaths, and calendars with little windows to open. And it is that, but it’s also more than that.
Advent means coming or arrival. During advent, we celebrate the first coming of the promised Messiah, Christ Jesus. And, while we celebrate the birth of Jesus, we also look for his return. As Christians, we are those who live in-between the first and second advent of our Lord.
The next 4 Sunday mornings at Westside Community church we’ll be observing advent by considering the following themes from Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s book God is in the Manger.
Waiting, Mystery, Redemption, Incarnation.
…a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us, and the government will rest on his shoulders. He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)
I hope you will pause during the flurry of activity we call the holiday season and contemplate the miracle of the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
– Pastor Ben
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Thanks to Ciara Barsotti for the beautiful Advent artwork. You can check out more of her art here.