The Thanksgiving week marks the start of the “holiday season” in the U.S. As we reflect on a year marked by losses, challenges, defeats and uncertainty, we should be thankful for the positive moments that we have experienced. As our focus shifts to a Christmas unlike any in our nation’s history, we should remember that the victory in Jesus that was given on the cross started with the Christmas miracle. Sunday will mark the beginning of Advent with a traditional focus on hope.
The term “advent” is derived from the Latin “adventus,” meaning “coming” or “arrival.” Based on that etymology, Advent has a dual meaning of celebrating the arrival of Jesus at his birth and preparing for his Second Coming. As we keep our calendars, light our wreaths and erect our Christmas trees, remember that Advent is not just about when Jesus came but also when he is coming again.
Mark 13: 34-37
34 For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.3 5 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: 36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. 37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
