What are you anticipating this Christmas season?

Seasons Greetings!

We give thanks to God for everything that you do to share the Gospel, both at home and around the world, because of your faithfulness, labor of love, and steadfast hope in Jesus. We know that God has chosen you for the work you are doing.

Sunday, November 29th, marked the beginning of the Advent season. It’s a time to celebrate the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ, and wait in anticipation for his second coming. I grew up in a denomination that celebrated the season of Advent which starts four Sundays before Christmas. Each Sunday before Christmas we celebrated by lighting the Advent Candles and lit the fifth candle on Christmas Eve. Each candle has a different meaning… Hope, Faith, Joy, Peace, and the last represents Christ.

This year our family was given a set of Advent Candles. It's been over a decade since the last time I celebrated the season of Advent. So this year, Bethany and I decided to celebrate it with our boys. Each Sunday we will tell part of the story of Jesus’ birth, say a prayer from the Book of Common Prayer, and light a candle. We may even throw in a few fun arts and crafts projects. The goal is to take the focus off of Santa and the things Christmas has turned into, and point everything back to Jesus…the true reason for the season.

As Christians, we all get caught up with the hustle and bustle of the season. After all, it is the busiest season in the church. I would like to encourage you this season to take time each day to remember who it is that we serve and to reflect on the Hope, Faith, Joy, and Peace that only Jesus brings.

My family also wanted to reach out with a special Christmas video for you https://youtu.be/ER2Lgv_7yQc