This Sunday will be the first Sunday in Advent. The season of Advent begins 4 Sundays before Christmas; it is a time to prepare for the celebration of Jesus’ birth, on Christmas Day.
During church on Sunday, we will hear about, and sing hymns about, “preparing the way.” Jim O’Neill and his sister Kathy O’Neil will light the first candle on the Advent wreath. It is the candle of HOPE.
Bad things happen to most of us during our lifetimes. Sometimes we are sad or just plain scared. Sometimes we don’t know what will happen next. We really want God to fix things, and so we HOPE and we PRAY and we TRUST. We do whatever we can do to keep calm.
Lots of things can scare us; bad dreams, being lost, or meeting a new teacher can all be scary. It can take courage to face those things. The past few years have been scary for most of us. Many people have been been ill because of the COVID virus. Too many people have died. Everyone has been worried.
God wants us to be brave and to have hope. God wants us to have courage and to have faith. God wants us to trust that God will help us make things better for ourselves and for others who are sad or scared or need help.
When Jesus was born EVERYONE was scared. They were scared of the Roman soldiers. They were scared of their leaders who would put them in jail if they did not obey their orders. They were scared that they wouldn’t have food for their families.
When Jesus grew up he reminded people that God was always with them, even in scary times. He told them to be brave, and told them not to give up hope.
As you prepare your house for Christmas, you will help decorate your home, put up a Christmas tree and follow your family’s favorite traditions. You can also ask your family members what THEY hope for at Christmas time. And you can ask how you can help them. Perhaps you can give them a small gift of love and help their fondest hope come true!
At Christmas time and all year long, remember that God is always with you.
You are blessed to be a blessing to those around you.
~Peg Koller~
p.s. We LOVE to have children join us for worship. Stop in at the Kid’s Corner to pick up coloring sheets, children’s Bibles, books and more. Need a break during worship? Visit the cozy Cove Room and new Children’s Library.