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Dear Friends,
We are ready! 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. Advent is the beginning of the church year for Christians.
During Advent, we prepare for and anticipate the coming of Christ. We remember the longing of Jews for a Messiah and our own longing for and need of forgiveness, salvation and a new beginning. Even as we look back and celebrate the birth of Jesus in a humble stable in Bethlehem, we also look forward anticipating the second coming of Christ as the fulfillment of all that was promised by his first coming.
Although we are accustomed to celebrating Christmas on a single day, in both Christian tradition and on the church calendar, the Christmas season lasts from sundown on Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve) through Epiphany of the Lord (Jan. 6). This is sometimes referred to as "the 12 days of Christmas."
Advent begins with the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day. This year, since Christmas falls on a Sunday, and Christmas Eve on Saturday night, Advent begins Sunday, November 27, and ends at sundown on Saturday, Dec. 24 three weeks plus a portion of an additional day. The color for Advent has traditionally been purple, although some churches have adopted blue.
This year will be the first time in three years we have been able to celebrate Advent and Christmas without mask mandates. (Masks are still available if you are being cautious.) We are looking forward to having the Annual Potluck this year!
We do have two different Advent devotional books. Please do not take one of each. We purchased enough for everyone to choose one but not enough for everyone to have both. The book we are studying on Monday nights and Wednesdays is red but has the same title as one of the devotional books. Remember, everyone is welcomed to join one of our studies.
It was a tradition in the early service to have candles to light for prayer requests or remembrances. We have moved the candles from the chapel to the sanctuary. You are welcome to come before the service, during singing or passing of the peace to light a candle.
Once again, thank you to all those who made our Thanksgiving Feast possible. You are amazing!
Grace and peace,
Beth
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