Welcome to Advent

Dear friends (and those who may have stumbled upon this blog),

If you've joined me for any of the past sixteen years (wow!), then you are probably familiar with Advent. If you are a new reader, this will serve as an introduction:

In latin the word "adventus" means "coming." Within the context of western Christianity, Advent is the season of four weeks leading up to Christmas—the celebration of Christ's birth. It is a time of joyful expectation and preparation. The four weeks are marked by the four Sundays, on which the candles of the Advent wreath are lit.

The first candle is traditionally the candle of Hope, ushering us into the season with hopeful expectation and wonder. However, with so many church traditions comes a variety of names for each candle. Usually, they are organized around characters or themes as a way to unfold the story and direct attention to the celebrations and worship in the season. So, the sequence might be Prophets, Bethlehem, Shepherds, Angels; Expectation, Annunciation, Proclamation, Fulfillment; or Prophets, John the Baptist, Mary, the Magi.

Last year, I tried something new and used the broad theme of “all things new” to direct my reflections, breaking the four weeks into micro themes centering around courage, refinement, intersections, and curiosity. This year I’m going back to the basics. My Advent guides will be the traditional names of the Advent candles: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love.

For four short weeks every year, we stop and see—with amazing clarity—God’s miraculous hand shaping the trajectory of human history. I have a hard time seeing this kind of perspective in daily life. Even with God’s sustaining grace, I am so often numb to the repercussions of Christ’s advent in my own life. This blog is an attempt to peel back the layers of those truths and meditate on the everlasting love God showed when he first sent us His son. 

And as we do that together, may our hearts be directed towards the greater Advent still to come. For we know this to be true: the infant Jesus we celebrate at Christmas has promised He will one day return. On earth again, we will see His fully divine power and might. 

So let us enter this season with expectation, ever blessed by those who have paved the way. I’m glad you have chosen to join me on the journey!
 

Welcome to Advent

Dear friends (and those who may have stumbled upon this blog),

If you've joined me for any of the past twelve years, then you are probably familiar with Advent. If you are a new reader, this will serve as an introduction:

In latin the word "adventus" means "coming." Within the context of western Christianity, Advent is the season of four weeks leading up to Christmas—the celebration of Christ's birth. It is a time of joyful expectation and preparation. The four weeks are marked by the four Sundays, on which the candles of the Advent wreath are lit.

The first candle is traditionally the candle of Hope, followed by Peace, Love, and Joy. However, with so many church traditions comes a variety of names for each candle. Usually, they are organized around characters or themes as a way to unfold the story and direct attention to the celebrations and worship in the season. So, the sequence might be Prophets, Bethlehem, Shepherds, Angels; Expectation, Annunciation, Proclamation, Fulfillment; or Prophets, John the Baptist, Mary, the Magi.

Last year I did something unique and focused on one all-encompassing word: Immanuel. I explored the theme of “God with us” as it was perceived by the prophets and those who lived during the Old Testament, announced to the key players of the Nativity story, demonstrated by the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, and remains a firm truth for us today. This year I want to return to the more traditionally themed weeks, but again, with a twist. Recently, as I was beginning to gather materials to inspire this year’s writings, I came across Jessica Herberger’s interpretation of the four candles: Wait, Anticipate, Prepare, and Celebrate. So, this year they will be our guides.

For four short weeks every year, we stop and see—with amazing clarity—God’s miraculous hand shaping the trajectory of human history. I have a hard time seeing this kind of perspective in daily life. Even with God’s sustaining grace, I am so often numb to the repercussions of Christ’s advent in my own life. This blog is an attempt to peel back the layers of those truths and meditate on the everlasting love God showed when he sent us His son. And as we do that together, may our hearts be directed towards the greater Advent still to come.

Let us enter this season with expectation, ever blessed by those who have paved the way. I’m glad you have chosen to join me on the journey!

Welcome to Advent 2021

Dear friends (and those who may have stumbled upon this blog),

If you've joined me for any of the past eleven years, then you are probably familiar with Advent. If you are a new reader, this will serve as an introduction:

In latin the word "adventus" means "coming." Within the context of western Christianity, Advent is the season of four weeks leading up to Christmas—the celebration of Christ's birth. It is a time of joyful expectation and preparation. The four weeks are marked by the four Sundays, on which the candles of the Advent wreath are lit.

The first candle is traditionally the candle of Hope, followed by Peace, Love, and Joy. However, with so many church traditions comes a variety of names for each candle. Usually they are organized around characters or themes as a way to unfold the story and direct attention to the celebrations and worship in the season. So, the sequence might be Prophets, Bethlehem, Shepherds, Angels; Expectation, Annunciation, Proclamation, Fulfillment; or Prophets, John the Baptist, Mary, the Magi.

Last year I chose to reflect on the themes of Longing, Preparation, Proclamation, and Joy. This year, I am trying something a little different and focusing on one all-encompassing word: Immanuel. I will explore the theme of “God with us” as it was perceived by the prophets and those who lived during the Old Testament, announced to the key players of the Nativity story, demonstrated by the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, and remains a firm truth for us today.

For four short weeks every year, we stop and see—with amazing clarity—God’s miraculous hand shaping the trajectory of human history. I have a hard time seeing this kind of perspective in daily life. Even with God’s sustaining grace, I am so often numb to the repercussions of Christ’s advent in my own life. This blog is an attempt to peel back the layers of those truths and meditate on the everlasting love God showed humanity when he sent forth His son. And as we do that together, may our hearts be directed towards the greater Advent still to come.

Let us enter this season with expectation, ever blessed by those who have paved the way. I’m glad you have chosen to join me on the journey!

"Mortimer's Christmas Manger" and Welcoming the King

I read an article the other day that talked about all the different reactions to the arrival of the Messiah. King Herod was threatened, the masses in Jerusalem were troubles, the chief priests and scribes were apathetic. But the travelers, the Magi, were the true worshipers.

When I read this, I immediately thought of a simple little Christmas book I’d read at the beginning of the season. I wanted to write about it, but wasn’t sure how. The book is Mortimer’s Christmas Manger, by Karma Wilson. Wilson heralds from The Bear Snores On fame, and has created a mini monopoly on amazing storytime books featuring Bear. Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised to learn she is a believer and has written a few children’s devotional books as well.

The story goes like this: a little mouse named Mortimer is tired of living in his dark hole. “It’s too cold, too cramped, too creepy,” he squeaks. So he ventures out and find a nativity set that looks just the right size for his new home. Only there are all these statues in the way. So he tugs and pulls them outside the stable.

When he comes to the baby in a manger, Mortimer is thrilled. A bed, just his size. “There’s no room for you here,” he says. “Out you go.”

Each morning Mortimer goes in search of good things to eat. When he returns, to his dismay, he finds the statues back in his little house. So he tugs them out again, and again.

Then one morning, he overhears the family reading a story. He heard about Mary, and Joseph, a bright star, shepherds, and three wise kings.

Then Mortimer heard about a baby. A baby who was born in a stable and had no real bed but slept in a wooden manger. A baby born to save the world!

“And His name shall be called Jesus,” said the man.

Mortimer looked up. He saw the star atop the Christmas tree, and the statues near the stable. And then he saw the baby.

“I see . . .” he sighed. “You aren’t just any statue. You are a statue of Jesus.”

Mortimer was sad. He didn’t want to lose his new home. But he knew what he had to do. He tugged the statues back into the stable. And then he placed the baby back in the manger.

“There was no room for you in the inn. But I know where there is room,” he said.

After that Mortimer wandered back towards his dark hole. But as he went he prayed a prayer: “Jesus, you were born to save the world. Perhaps you could also bring me a home?”

That’s when he saw another small building. Just his size! A gingerbread house.

“Thank you, Jesus,” said Mortimer. “You’ve made room for me too.”

The story is a little cheesy, but oh so true. We can easily respond to Jesus like Herod, the masses in Jerusalem, or even the chief priests and scribes. But we have a choice. Let us respond with open hearts and minds, with awe and worship, at the arrival of the newborn King. After all, we know how the Story ends. As Mortimer reminds us, He came to save the world. He came to save us.

Welcome to Advent

Dear friends (and those who may have stumbled upon this blog), 

If you've joined me for any of the past ten years, then you are probably familiar with Advent. If you are a new reader, this will serve as an introduction:   

In latin the word "adventus" means "coming." Within the context of western Christianity, Advent is the season of four weeks leading up to Christmas—the celebration of Christ's birth. It is a time of joy-ful expectation and preparation. The four weeks are marked by the four Sundays, on which the candles of the Advent wreath are lit.

The first candle is traditionally the candle of Hope, followed by Peace, Love, and Joy. However, with so many church traditions comes a variety of names for each candle. Usually they are organized around characters or themes as a way to unfold the story and direct attention to the celebrations and worship in the season. So, the sequence might be Prophets, Bethlehem, Shepherds, Angels; Expectation, Annunciation, Proclamation, Fulfillment; or Prophets, John the Baptist, Mary, the Magi.

This year (my first as a children's librarian), I would like to introduce us to the four candles and some main characters in the Nativity story through picture books. What I share will in no way be conclusive of all the beautiful works of illustration and literature out there, but they will help us retell the story.

For four short weeks every year, we stop and see—with amazing clarity—God’s miraculous hand shaping the trajectory of human history. I have a hard time seeing this kind of perspective in daily life. Even with the Lord’s sustaining grace, I am so often numb to the repercussions of Christ’s advent in my own life. This blog is an attempt to peel back the layers of those truths and meditate on the everlasting love God showed humanity when he sent forth His son. And as we do that together, may our hearts be directed towards the greater Advent still to come.

Let us enter this season with expectation, ever blessed by those who have paved the way. I’m glad you have chosen to join me on the journey!

 

Welcome to Advent

Dear friends (and those who may have stumbled upon this blog),    
If you've joined me the last few (8!) years, then you’re are probably familiar with Advent. But for any new readers, this will serve as an introduction: 

In latin the word "adventus" means "coming." Within the context of western Christianity, Advent is the season of four weeks leading up to Christmas--the celebration of Christ's birth. It is a time of joyful expectation and preparation. The four weeks are marked by the four Sundays, on which the candles of the Advent wreath are lit. 

The first candle is traditionally the candle of Hope, followed by Peace, Love, and Joy.  However, with so many church traditions comes a variety of names for each candle. Usually they are organized around characters or themes as a way to unfold the story and direct attention to the celebrations and worship in the season. So, the sequence might be Prophecy, Bethlehem, Shepherds, Angels; Expectation, Annunciation, Proclamation, Fulfillment; or  Prophets, John the Baptist, Mary, the Magi.

This year, I want to focus on the four themes of Expectation, Annunciation, Proclamation, and Fulfillment, but with a slight variation.

For four short weeks every year, we stop and see—with amazing clarity—God’s miraculous hand shaping the trajectory of human history. I have a hard time seeing this kind of perspective in daily life. Even with grace flowing, I am so often numb to the repercussions of Christ’s advent in my own life. Oh, to have the faith of those like Anna and Simeon, who waited unswervingly for God’s promise!

Like them, the characters leading up in Christ's birth—indeed, his ancestors themselves—are some of my favorite people in Scripture. Their lives were made richer because of what the Lord accomplished through their simple, God-fearing faith. I am not too different from them, yet so many things fog my hope in this kind of divine operation.

So this year I am going to use the four themes of Advent and take a deeper look at some of these key players in Jesus' lineage. As I live so much of my own life in expectation, I can’t see a better example than those who lived and longed for a Savior with such courage and zeal.

I’m glad you get to join me on the journey!