Advent 2021

Messiah’s Arrival

“Advent” means appearing, arrival, coming.  At Christmas we celebrate that God came into our world—baby Jesus born 2,000 years ago was the Son of God, God with us.  Think of it:  the God who made all that is (from the macro to the micro) and who made us came to live among us, to rescue us—like a Good Shepherd chasing down his wandering sheep!  “The Son of Man came to seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10).

Lighting a series of Advent Candles marks time—the four Sundays before Christmas.  It’s like a countdown, counting the days until that most-special celebration.  Or think of it this way:  Advent candles are like turning on a light when you’re expecting someone to come home:  “We’ll leave the light on for you.  We can’t wait for you to come.” We do this the four Sundays before Christmas.

Advent Sundays

Each of the Advent Sundays has a theme, and you might say each of the Advent candles has a name—they symbolize four blessings we long to receive for from Jesus:  hope, faith, joy, peace. Think of them as Christmas gifts we really want and need—the four things on our “wish list.”

• November 28, lighting of the Prophets’ candle:  hope
• December 5, lighting of the Bethlehem candle:  faith
• December 12, lighting of the Shepherds’ candle:  joy
• December 19, lighting of the Angel’s candle:  peace
• And all of it leads up to Friday, December 24, Christmas Eve, and the lighting of the Christ candle.

Advent Resources

Click here for a listing of several devotional resources for this special season.  Take time to quiet your heart and take in the wonder of Advent.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Services

Friday, December 24, at 3:30 and 5:00 p.m.  “O come let us adore Him!” Join us for our Christmas Eve services in the Sanctuary.  These 45-minute, family-oriented gatherings will feature Christmas music, Scripture readings, and a brief message of hope centered on Jesus Christ, “God with us.”  Childcare for ages 0-3 will be available at the 3:30 service.  “Joy to the world—the Lord is come!”