First the technical stuff - “Advent” is from a Latin word meaning “the arrival of.”  So, in the church calendar, “Advent” means the “arrival of the Christ.”

So, when we talk about “Advent” at St. Luke, we are talking about a season of four weeks before Christmas that gets us ready for the coming of Jesus Christ!

There are two ways in which we need to be thinking as “Advent People.”

1) The arrival of Jesus at Christmas.  I’m so thankful for this season in an ever-increasing secular Christmas season.  My son’s class at school a couple of years ago had to sing, “We Wish You a Happy Holiday” instead of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”  I am so thankful that Advent points us to Christ in Christmas - again and again and again.  This Advent, prepare your hearts and minds, once again, for the arrival of the Baby Jesus at Christmas!

2) The arrival of Jesus when he returns in his “second coming.”  The Bible is clear - Jesus will return one day.  We don’t know the day, nor the hour.  Movies and ancient civilations pointing us to 2012 don’t know the day.  Only God knows when Jesus will return.  Jesus says we are to be ready at all times.  Are you ready?  Are you prepared?  If Jesus came back today or tomorrow, would you have your “spiritual house” in order?  Jesus is coming back.  Advent is a time to remember that and get prepared for his arrival.

I pray that these four weeks before Christmas are a powerful and wonderful time for you to prepare to celebrate Jesus’ birth and be ready for His second coming.  We celebrate his birth, and we look to his triumphant return!

Advent Blessings!

Pastor Tim