Advent
This coming Sunday marks the beginning of the Advent season. Traditionally, churches will use the season of Advent to reflect on the coming of Christ. This season reminds us of our sin and our great need for a Savior. Throughout the Old Testament we find promises from God that Messiah would come and would deliver the people from their sins once and for all. Through Messiah there would be peace between man and God, the restoration of a relationship broken in Eden. Restoration would come through the work of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, it is not our doing. The work of Jesus demonstrates God’s love in a way that should grab our hearts and draw a response of faith. Rejoice, you people of God! For though we have fallen, God has sent the promised Messiah, Jesus Christ, to show us the love of God and to make reconciliation so that we might be the sons and daughters of God!
This Advent season, keep your focus on God and his work. As we get caught up in all the frills of Christmas, we too easily forget what Christmas is really about. It is not about material things. It is not about days off from work. It is not even about family and memories. It is about God stepping down from Heaven, taking on flesh, and entering into human history so that we might be right with God. If we really want to make good memories this Christmas and show love to our families we will tell them about the goodness of the Lord and will call them to his love.