Celebrate Advent

Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.  1 Corinthians 15:1-5 NASB

Lord Jesus, You are my joy and my song. Thank You for salvation and peace washed over us. 

Romans 5:1-4 NASB Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope. 

God invites us to push away the clutter, turn down the noise, and offer Him the sacred space in our lives so that the King of Glory may enter, take up residence, and radically change us from the inside out. We can race through the holiday season more stressed than blessed, or we can slow down, ponder the reality of Christ within us, and respond to His miraculous work within us.

Luke 2:8-11 NASB In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Whether you already walk intimately with Jesus or you see Him more like a distant relative, do know He’s very near and that He came to redeem every aspect of who we are.  The gospel of Luke offers us a detailed account of Jesus’ birth, life, death, and ultimate resurrection. 

My friends Jesus’ life will transform ours if we let Him. Let’s prepare our hearts to receive Jesus in His compelling, and life-changing way.

Whether we celebrate Advent annually with candles and a wreath or with a countdown calendar, or even if we have never celebrated Advent in a particular way, Christmas season should cause us to pause. To reflect. To prepare Him room.

Advent has everything to do with worship as we respond to His coming of hope, ever-presence with us, unspeakable joy that overflows our hearts and peace of Salvation, offered to all man-kind.