Happy New Year!

Actually, I’m a few days late with that. No, I’m not saying that we are beginning 2026. This last Sunday was the first day of the Church year. Since Christmas is when we celebrate the birth of Christ, it makes sense that Jesus birth would begin the church year, but there are four weeks prior to that called Advent, a preparation for Christmas. The greatest way to prepare, tied to the ministry of John the Baptist, is a call to repentance. We know the forgiveness that is ours through Christ, but sometimes, especially in the busy-ness of the season (worldly priorities) we can lose sight of Christ and what He has done. Wanting to grow in the intimacy of our walk of faith, many commit to specific Scripture readings during this time. Someone had mentioned, starting on December 1st, one should read another chapter in Luke, thereby reading an entire Gospel before Christmas, while preparing our hearts. I started a few days late, but I am back on track. Join me in this as it reminds us of who Christ is. A very unique method that no other season has is a special calendar called an Advent Calendar. Typically, this calendar has little cardboard flaps/windows that can be opened, one each day. Behind these windows might be a Scripture verse, a picture or a shepherd or some other part of the season, etc. Some are like a series of compartments with the calendar in front that contains items such as a star, a shepherd's staff, a donkey, etc., again to remind us of the parts of Christmas. I think there are now many secular versions of that calendar that have nothing to do with Christ or the true heart of Christmas. Advent, however, is not just focused on the coming of Jesus, which could include many of the prophesies of the Old Testament. It also is a preparation for when Jesus returns again. There are many passages that speak of Jesus return where the whole world, from Adam to those still alive today, will come bodily before Jesus and will be separated in categories of faithful and faithless. At this point, the faithful will enter eternity with God and the faithless will enter eternal damnation. We want to be doing what God has called us to do. We want the Spirit of God to be stirring in our hearts, drawing us nearer to Himself and strengthening our walk with Him. Are you prepared? Father God, may we not just speak of Your son’s return, but may we be found faithfully living each day in service to You. Amen