Advent – A Time For Preparation

Advent began this week. Advent means arrival or coming into being. According to Merriam Webster, Advent is the period beginning four Sundays before Christmas and observed by some Christians as a season of prayer and fasting.

As a Christian, I’ve been observing Advent for a large portion of my life. When I was a child, I had no idea this period of time had a name. I’m not sure when I became aware of the word Advent. I know that when I became a member of a Presbyterian choir during my college years, this was the first time in my life I knew there were liturgical seasons.

The colors of the altar cloths and vestments represent the different seasons. For Advent, the color is purple. Purple is the color most closely associated with royalty. We use it signifying Jesus as our King.

YOU’RE INVITED

My husband and I are participating in an Advent study with Kris Langham and Through the Word. This is an app you may download. They offer lessons from every book of the Bible as well as studies during seasons such as Advent and Lent. In this Advent study, he even has us to light the Advent candles.

It isn’t too late to join us, and we’d love to have you. You may move at your own pace as all of it is pre-recorded. Pastor Kris explains the passages. You may choose from a variety of voices reading the Scripture passages to you in the translation you prefer.

Advent - A Time For Preparation @DDuPreeWilliams #Advent #ThroughTheWord #PrepareYourHeart Share on X

PREPARE YOUR HEARTS FOR HIS COMING

Whatever tradition in which you find yourself, this is a time to prepare our hearts for the birth of our Savior. The good news is, God is present in all manner of Christian services of worship.  Jeremiah tells us, If you seek Him with all your heart, you will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13).

Wherever you choose to worship this Advent, prepare your heart for the coming of Jesus. The season is about the One who came to cover our sins with His blood, shed for us, for the forgiveness of our sins. As you prepare for Jesus to come as the baby in the manger, lift your eyes to the Man on the cross. The One who says you maycome.

THE FIRST ADVENT CANDLE – HOPE

Christ – our living hope. Scriptures to read: 1 Peter 1:3, Ephesians 2:8-10, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, John 4:13-14, Psalm 39:7 (my personal favorite), John 3:16.

Do you have a favorite Bible verse that points to hope? Please feel free to share it with us. I am praying for you.

Blessings, y’all!!