Celebrate Advent

Yesterday was the first Sunday in advent. Advent is the church season leading up to Christmas that’s all about expectation, waiting, and preparation. It’s a time to focus on the coming of the King and his Kingdom into the world. It’s a time to think about how God through his mercy and grace is restoring the world we’ve broken to its original purpose and glory through Jesus Christ. Sadly, its such a busy time of preparation for meals, gatherings, decorating, and gift-giving that the real meaning of Christmas gets lost in the rush. Let me encourage you to start slowly and keep moving slowly through the season of advent this year. Focus less on the doing, and more on the waiting. Each one of us, including our kids, needs God to burst into our life to do for us what we in no way can do for ourselves. Salvation, redemption, and new life come through Christ alone. It’s not earned or deserved. This year, talk to your kids about advent. Then, wait with great expectation and celebrate the King with great joy!