30 November
“It’s the most wonderful time of the year, With the kids jingle belling, And everyone telling you be of good cheer, It’s the most wonderful time of the year.”
I am sure you will hear this song repeatedly over the course of the next couple weeks until you can’t stand it. The song was written in 1963, and much of it still holds true today. There are parties that people attend, there will be mistletoe, holiday greetings, stories about previous Christmases with loved ones, and caroling. (Don’t forget, we will be caroling with Christ Lutheran on Saturday, December 9th at 2:00pm.) These things are still true 54 years after the song was written, but do they really make it the most wonderful time of the year?
Sunday starts the season of Advent in the church calendar. Advent means “the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event. Over 2000 years ago, the magi and shepherds were preparing for a notable person as was King Herod, they were just for different reasons. Why were they looking forward to the arrival of this baby? They were looking forward to a Savior. One who would deliver them from captivity. Two-thousand years ago, these men did not yet know the Truth. Jesus was born to deliver ALL the world from death and the devil. So why do we continue to celebrate the season of Advent in the church? The reason is not only because of baby Jesus, but we also celebrate as we look forward to His second coming.
John 14:1-4 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place I am going.”
Jesus is the Way and He tells us, “I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” The advent season is not just about the birth of Jesus, but also the excitement of the arrival of Jesus during the second coming. The peace that comes knowing He has a place prepared for all who have Him in their heart. The knowledge that salvation came through the birth of Jesus and the preparation of His return to take all believers to heaven is what truly makes this, the most wonderful time of the year!