Coming Soon: Christmas
Yes … you read that right. And, based on this week’s headlines, you know that retailers are already gearing up for the holidays. As members of the household of faith, it is time for us to begin gearing up too.
The season of Advent, which comes from the Latin word adventus meaning "coming" or "visit," begins four Sundays before Christmas and ends on Christmas Eve. This year, Advent Sunday falls on November 27. Advent invites us to prepare for and anticipate the coming of Christ. It is an opportunity to, once again, put Christ in the center of our lives. Yet, amidst the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it can be difficult to slow down and create space to focus on the Lord.
To truly experience the quiet, peaceful Advent that our hearts desire, we must be intentional. Just as we plan for gift-giving and holiday hosting, so too must we plan for Christmas. To aid in that effort, Chamblee First is compiling a booklet of Advent and Christmas-themed devotional thoughts. But rather than prepare for you, we want to prepare with you and assemble an Advent guide comprised of stories and experiences from among our congregation.
This Advent, we will be celebrating the season in song. My sermon series will focus on the true gifts of Christmas … Peace, Joy, Hope, and Love. Today, I am asking each of you to participate in the preparation. Do you have a personal Christmas story, memory, or experience that you would be willing to share with others? Maybe it is about a special song of the season? Or a tradition that is meaningful to you or your family? Or an anecdote that reflects the themes of hope, joy, peace, or love?
I hope you will accept this invitation to submit an Advent Devotional. Click the button below to review the guidelines and get started. Please do not worry about perfection but, rather, respond from the heart. Submissions are due November 4 so, just like the headlines say, it’s time to gear up!
Warm regards,
Pastor Eric
