December 8, 2011 by Doug Davis 0 comments

ADVENT PEACE

 Well Thanksgiving is behind us now and we can officially say we are in the Christmas season, despite what the retailers have been telling us for the past four weeks!  This past Sunday (November 27) was the first Sunday in Advent.  Advent is the term from the Latin ‘adventus’ which means “arrival”. 

 It is the time of year when the Christian church turns our attention to the “arrival” of Jesus Christ. During the season of Advent, Christians across the world prepare for the celebration of the arrival of the Lord into the world through the birth of his Son Jesus Christ. Advent is a time to celebrate light in the midst of darkness. It is also a time to look forward to when Jesus will come a second time.

 So what are your plans for preparing for the “arrival” of Jesus Christ?  Are you making your list of gifts you are going to give to friends and family?  Are you preparing the Christmas meal?  Trying to decide if you are going to have a real tree or use the artificial tree?  Deciding whose house you will visit first, her parents or yours?  So many things for us to prepare for during this Advent season!  But wait!  Have you forgotten something else on your list?  How about yourself?  How are you preparing your heart to once again hear the story of the birth of the Baby Jesus, Immanuel, God with us?  The one Isaiah spoke of; “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)

 Too often we get caught up in the secular and commercialization of Christmas we just forget about Advent and preparing to celebrate His first coming.  Focusing on the presents and not on His presence in our lives.  Counting the cost of all the gifts we give and not on the gift that was given to us, eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ.  Re-establishing those once-a-year relationships, at the sake of our relationship with our Heavenly Father.   

 Advent is the time when we can stop in the midst of all the Christmas chaos and seek the peace found in the manger in Bethlehem.  In this Baby lies the peace of the world.  In this Baby lies the hope of our salvation and the peace that passes all understanding.  Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Romans 5:1 

 So this Advent season, slow down, have a decaf and stop by His House and prepare your hearts and minds to receive Him who came down as the Son of God and reconciled us to God through His death on the cross.  For now we wait in Advent hope of the day Jesus will return once again and bring us all to the eternal peace for all who place their hope in Him.   May God bless you with His Advent hope and peace!

In His Grip!

Pastor Doug