God’s gift . . .
Sights & Sounds of the Advent Season
Advent is a journey towards Bethlehem.
May we let ourselves be drawn by the light of God made man.
(Pope Francis)
The Advent season is a time to focus on meeting Christ . . . a time to worship and praise the coming of our Savior . . . a time to take time to set aside the stresses of the year for a while . . . a time to take our focus off of the crazy hustle that is a part of the Christmas season which often threatens to produce more exhaustion than delight . . . Advent is the chance to focus our thoughts on the gift God has given us in His son Jesus, who stepped down from Heaven and took the form of a man so that we might believe and be saved.
I know a lot of people say this, but it really is true—Christmas is my favorite time of year . . . I have wonderful memories of family and church celebrations . . . I love the music, the sights, the lights, and all the sounds and nostalgia of the season.
As wonderful as all that can be, Christmas is far more than what our earthly celebrations have made it . . . Especially for believers of Christ . . . When this time of year comes, we pay attention to what is at the center of it all . . . We may enjoy the carols and decorations, but we celebrate the Advent, the coming of Jesus Christ.
This season is not just about what we want . . . It’s about what we need from a Savior and what He did for us to save us from our sins . . . When we wait to celebrate the day He was born, it means what we hope for has not yet come . . . It has been promised, or we have reason to believe it is on its way, but it is not yet here . . . We anticipate it and we actively look for it, but we wait . . . and we pray, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”
“The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son,
and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’”
Matthew 1:23
INSIGHT . . .
I want a Christmas that whispers “Jesus.”
(Ann Voskamp)
The birth of the Messiah was promised in the Old Testament and was anticipated by God’s people for a very long time . . . the word, “advent” simply means “coming”. . . Advent is celebrated to prepare for the birth of Jesus at Christmas and for us to look forward to His eventual second coming.
When the angel announced the birth of Jesus to Joseph,
Matthew says this happened to fulfill the promise in Isaiah,
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel”
Matthew 1:23
Advent is the beginning of the liturgical Christian year . . . It's a season of anticipation and reflection, to prepare our hearts and minds to focus on the meaning of Christ's arrival . . . and a time to step away from the worldly approach of commercialism all around us . . . Advent encourages a shift away from the money-making frenzy of the holiday season, inviting us to a more reflective and prayerful experience . . . it is a time of spiritual preparation through prayer, care and service to others, and contemplation of what is to come.
INVITATION—TO TALK WITH GOD . . .
I grew up not celebrating Advent . . . Before the Thanksgiving leftovers were all eaten, we were in full-blown Christmas-crazy mode straight through to December 25th . . . But I’ve grown to love Advent . . . it’s not guided by Scripture, but there are good reasons to make Advent part of your holiday rhythm and focus.
Advent reminds us we are not the center of God’s planning . . . it’s not about us, it is about God’s grand plan for history that is so much larger than just you and me.
Ask God what part of Advent He wants you to be sure to experience and see this year.
The Christmas holiday, especially in the West, seems to be on crash course towards insanity . . . Students are busy studying for finals, parents are busy shopping for gifts, families are busy traveling to visit relatives, social calendars become overloaded with more than anyone can handle in a month’s time.
Whether through daily readings, candle-lightings, time in silence, or just taking time to stare at the lights of a Christmas tree or candle, resolve to pause and reflect in a season that might otherwise drown-out something special awaiting you—and be still.
“Be still, and know that I am God!”
Psalm 46:10
As you talk with God, think about your heart and soul . . .
Are you ready to face the holiday season? . . . Christmas? . . . A New Year?
. . . or, are you dreading every part of it?
Ask God to help open your eyes to what you need in this season to know the peace and love of Christ within your soul.
It is easy to stress out, feel rushed, tired, hurt, angry . . . But life is not a race, and neither are the holidays, even if it may feel that way . . . Get out of your head and back into your heart! . . . Life is a journey, and with a little effort, or re-focus, you can find joy in that trek through the holidays.
Ask God to help you see the presence of Christ in the season, and in the smiles, eyes, and laughter of the people around you.
** Remember to practice the “pause”—slow down, take a deep breath, and open your eyes and heart—and in the “pause,” pray . . . then relax your body as you slowly exhale “Amen!” (repeat as often as needed)
The holidays do not have to be perfect—accept that! . . . Remember, what is important is Christ’s birth and the new beginning He brought to us.
ILLUMINATION . . .
Seeing the Sights & Sounds of the season in the Light of Christ
With all the hype of the holidays, you’re sure to see Christmas decorations everywhere . . . probably starting in early fall . . . It’s a huge part of celebrating Christmas! . . . But have you ever thought about how some of those traditional decorations can help us get in touch with the true spirit of the season?
Through the years of celebrating Christmas, many of us forget why we use these decorations . . . Each of these Christmas symbols has a Christian implication . . . We decorate with these Christmas symbols to magnify the reason for the celebration and not just to decorate the celebration itself.
If we look at all the sights, symbols, and sounds in the right way—with Christ as the foundation and focus—we allow them to help us remember Jesus Christ in our Christmas celebrations, as believers have done for centuries.
Christ is all around us at Christmas time, and we can see His presence in so many of the symbols of Christmas that we take for granted . . .
A Star: The Star of Bethlehem guided the Wise Men to the infant Jesus.
Angels: The heavenly messengers who announced Christ's birth to the shepherds.
Christmas tree: Evergreen trees stay green year-round, which symbolizes eternal life through Jesus Christ, and signify endurance and renewal.
Wreath: The wreath signifies continuous life . . . Its circular shape, with no beginning or end, is a symbol of the unending and undying love of God, and the eternal life that we have in Christ.
Poinsettias: Often called the "Christmas flower," their red leaves symbolize Christ's blood upon the cross, and the star-like shape represents the Star of Bethlehem.
Candy canes: Shaped like a shepherd's crook, symbolize Jesus as the "Good Shepherd" . . . The red stripes represent the blood shed by Christ, and the white symbolizes His purity.
Holly: The sharp leaves represent the crown of thorns worn by Jesus, and the red berries symbolize His blood.
Bells: For centuries, bells have been rung to announce the arrival of the Christmas season . . . They symbolize the announcement of the birth of Christ when angels in heaven praised God and declared, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
Doves: Doves are the messengers of peace on earth coming from Jesus.
Candles and Lights: Before electric Christmas lights were used, candles were lit as the light on Christmas trees . . . That light epitomizes the Light of the world who is Jesus Christ . . . Candles become a mirror of starlight reflecting the Star of Bethlehem.
No matter what different seasonal traditions are celebrated across cultures and countries, Advent is a time for all believers and families to remember the arrival of the Messiah, prepare for His second coming, and celebrate the joy of Christmas together.
♪♬♪ A Song of Reflection for the Season . . . Mary, Did You Know?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trW_lD9sBt0&list=RDtrW_lD9sBt0&start_radio=1
INSPIRATION—PRAYING THROUGH MUSIC . . .
Christmas carols remind us of the angels who announced the birth of Christ by singing,
"Glory to God in the highest, and peace to His people on earth!"
Song has been a part of worship since the beginning . . . People use song as an expression of highest emotion . . . It’s very fitting that we sing about the birth of Christ!
I encourage you to take time to listen to any or all the songs below . . . there is no right or wrong style of music—it is what speaks to you . . . listen to the melody and the lyrics and feel the response of your heart to what God wants you to hear . . . and I do understand that music doesn’t speak to everyone . . . and that is okay too.
♪♬♪ Current . . . The Heart of Christmas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tho8r0n_y6Y
♪♬♪ Traditional . . . Hark, The Herald Angels Sing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djh02-DP9r8&list=RDdjh02-DP9r8&start_radio=1
INTO EACH DAY AHEAD . . . (finding joy in the season one day at a time)
When we expect guests in our homes, we turn the lights on . . . we anticipate their arrival and welcome them. . . . During Advent, we prepare our homes and churches as we joyfully anticipate the arrival of the Baby who will save the world.
With hearts full of joy and great anticipation, we await the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ . . . Now is the time to quiet ourselves and be still and listen so that we can hear the whisper of His voice . . . so we can hear what God wants us to know.
The season of Advent is one that deliberately builds in a time, a reminder, of our waiting . . . Just as God’s people waited, generation after generation, for the promised King who would one day come to sit on David’s throne forever and redeem Israel, so we now await His second coming . . . You can, if you choose, just rush right into Christmas, running right through the hectic pace of the holidays and completely missing out on the heart of waiting . . . it is a time to value and appreciate what God has done for us . . . Don’t lose sight of the true reason for the season . . . It’s a time to anticipate Christ’s return . . . Christmas starts with Christ.
Celebrating Advent is an excellent way to prepare the mind and heart for Christmas . . . As we tune out the world we can tune into God’s Spirit and be filled with His patience, hope, and love . . . Prepare your heart and soul, your mind and senses to experience the Advent Season.
What is your heart longing for during the holidays? . . . for the New Year?
Have you considered talking with God about the upcoming holiday season . . .
about your hopes? . . . yours fears? . . . your dreams? . . . He is listening.
Let’s approach Christmas with an expectant hush, rather than a last-minute rush.
(Anonymous)
Lord our God, we praise you for your Son, Jesus Christ.
He is Emmanuel, the hope of us all,
He is the wisdom that teaches and guides us, and He is the Savior of every nation.
Lord God, let your blessing come upon us as we anticipate the coming of the Baby.
Please, open our minds, hearts, and souls to the wonders of this season
We ask this through Christ our Lord—Amen.
♪♬♪ Sounds of the Season (Extra prayer/meditation music) . . . Simple Worship: Christmas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snm5kEcnflk&list=RDsnm5kEcnflk&start_radio=1
♪♬♪ Sounds of the Season (Extra prayer/meditation music) . . . Christmas: In His Presence
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBw-Qq_N5UI&list=RDGBw-Qq_N5UI&start_radio=1
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