Sunday marks the first day of the season of Advent. At the risk of repeating myself (because I say and/or write something about this every year), I want to invite you into this very special season by highlighting why we celebrate it.
Advent isn't simply the beginning of Christmas. In the Christian liturgical calendar, Christmas is Christmas! Well, actually, Christmas is 12 days, from December 25th until January 5th, leading to Epiphany on January 6th... but we'll talk about that during our New Year's Day service!
Advent is the season of anticipating the coming of Christ, preparing our hearts, making room, remembering the longing of the Jews as they waited for the Messiah and ultimately, identifying with that longing as we wait for Christ's return. How beautiful.
On Sunday our physical space will look different (here come the trees and lights!) and our services will include features about the themes of Advent: hope, love, joy, and peace. We will light a candle to remind us of these themes and on Christmas morning we will light the final candle representing Christ.
Take a look at the Bible Project's teaching on the biblical words for "hope", the first theme in the Advent season. Consider the hope you have in Christ and our great hope in His second coming.
Welcome to Advent.
See you on Sunday,
Pastor Tracy
PS - Make Freedom your home church in the YouVersion app for quick access to our Advent Reading plan that starts on Sunday! CLICK HERE or see the graphic below for instructions.
THIS SUNDAY
O (FAMILY) CHRISTMAS TREE
Redeemer (Tamar)
Tracy Dunham
Join us for our IN-PERSON SERVICES OR
LIVESTREAM on Sunday!
10:00 - Live Service & Kids Church (+Church Online)