Embracing Advent

This Sunday we step over the threshold and onto the pathway of Advent!

Let me encourage you to make this season leading up to Christmas a time for you and your family to put Christmas in context. You see, those special events in the village of Bethlehem that took place some 2,000 years ago didn’t just come out of nowhere: there is a backstory. And we need to know the backstory—and feel it, and get drawn into its hope and wonder and anticipation.

Advent is a time to get your heart and mind on track with God’s great unfolding plan to save his rebel world—a plan that would culminate with the Eternal Son becoming flesh and living among us: "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14). "The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45).  The incarnation of God is an awesome reality--ask the Lord to help you take it in!

Here are a few resources that can help you and your friends and family embrace the Advent season:

• First, let me recommend "Devotions for Advent" written by our Goshen senior fellowship and other contributors, including reflections on many of the songs of Christmas.  "Joy to the world, the Lord is come!"
• Ryan Shelton has written a very helpful short article to give the sense of Advent--what is it all about?
• Biola University publishes a terrific daily Advent guide, including readings and various media resources--it begins with Dec. 3.
• Wheaton College offers a series of Advent readings for each Sunday.
• Desiring God has published a couple of book-length Advent guides (see here and here), and this year you can either read or listen to their daily messages.
• If you've never read or heard John Piper's poem, "The Inkeeper," you simply must do so (make sure to eliminate all distractions beforehand).
• Paul Tripp has written a book and produced a set of videos for Advent--spiritual insights not to miss.

"O Come, Let Us Adore Him!  Christ the Lord."