To the secular world, December is all about Christmas. In the Church, we have a season called Advent. Advent isn’t Christmas. Advent is a time to think about Jesus’ coming (Advent means coming) to us. Of course, part of Advent is about Jesus’ coming at Christmas. But during Advent we also recall that Jesus will come again on the Last Day in glory and power to raise the dead and take believers to heaven. During Advent we also are reminded that Jesus comes to us in the present through Word and Sacrament to touch our hearts with a message of eternal love.

Christmas is on our minds, so we sing some Christmas songs in our worship services and put up Christmas decorations. But the themes of Advent are different than Christmas. The significance of Advent is more than just a warmup for Christmas. In Advent we celebrate that Jesus has come, will come, and is coming. That certainly makes this a joyous season!

Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

John 6:63 (NIV)
“The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.”

1 Thessalonians 4:16 (NIV)
"For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God."

 

Pastor Aufdemberge

Pastor Kneser

Pastor Wempner

Pastor Zarling