JESUS IS COMING AGAIN| WELCOME TO ADVENT 2023| HOPE, PEACE, JOY & LOVE
Week 1 of Advent Season 2023 begins today, and we are super excited to slow down our pace, become more intentional about denying all the commercial temptations to run ourselves raggedy during the Christmas season, and truly establish meanings and norms that can become traditions for you and your family.
It's easier said than done right? The culture around us has been screaming at us to join the commotion of busyness, and overspending but justifying it as gift-giving, and
partying as of this season is about us to the point the true meaning of the holidays, Christmas is forgotten under piles of ripped and crumpled wrapping paper, loads of toys, clothes, and gadgets; and whatever else that focuses on our comforts and desires.
partying as of this season is about us to the point the true meaning of the holidays, Christmas is forgotten under piles of ripped and crumpled wrapping paper, loads of toys, clothes, and gadgets; and whatever else that focuses on our comforts and desires.
Did I miss anything? Sounds dismaying doesn't it? It really does. But, gift-giving is not a bad or a frowned upon thing, nor is gathering for family fun and games, laughter, and cheer. Not to ban Christmas as most of us know and have experienced it.
The argument here is for Jesus to be highly exalted above all these activities and to be celebrated as King of Kinds and soon returning Lord. Our Adoration and lauding should be on Him, the true reason for the season.
When we gather and host, Jesus should be the guest of honor; and as we cook and prepare delicious meals, and purchase and wrap gifts, our actions are sweeter when they are motivated by God's generous grace to us in the person of Jesus.
So, join us this year as we seek to quiet our hearts and minds and create or advance a mindset to exalt Christ in all and everything we do, far above the sentimental feelings of Christmas, that often fade by New Year's Eve. Instead, we invest in something more meaningful, we create space to really appreciate the gravity of the greatest gift we've received from our heavenly Father.
This year we are utilizing this study by YouVersion. This plan, Anticipating Christmas is listed as a 5-day Advent Plan; however, we'll tackle each day as a week.
Week 1: Sunday 12/3. (This week we'll do two (2) installments
Day 1 of Anticipating Christmas
: Wednesday 12/6
Day 2 of Anticipating Christmas
Week 2: Sunday 12/10
Day 3 of Anticipating Christmas
Week 3: Sunday 12/17
Day 4 of Anticipating Christmas
Week 4: Sunday 12/24
Day 5 of Anticipating Christmas
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