Pastors Corner: What is Advent? Week 1 - Faith; Week 2 - Joy

Having only been an Assembly of God minister, I have never been a part of a religious tradition that celebrates the Advent Season.

Nevertheless, because of my contacts over the years with ministers of other denominations within ministerial associations – I decided this year to lead our church, Havre Assembly, in observance of Advent. This week’s religious article covers “What is Advent?” and the first and second weeks of Advent, as we have celebrated them. Next week’s article will cover the third and fourth weeks of Advent, also as we are celebrating them.

What is Advent? What does it mean to celebrate Advent?

What? The word advent means “coming.” Advent refers to a period of time, approximately four weeks in length, which prepares us to welcome the birth of Christ on Christmas Day.

When? Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas Day, this year Dec. 1.

Who? Advent is observed by hundreds of thousands of Christians throughout the world.

How? Many people who observe Advent do so with some kind of candle lighting ceremony and the reading of Scriptures.

Why? Observing Advent year after year not only prepares people to meaningfully celebrate Christ’s first coming, but it points us toward Christ’s second coming as a way of renewing our anticipation of that great day. Advent can also help us develop the habit of recognizing the coming of Christ into our everyday lives all year round.

Advent Week 1 — Dec. 1

Theme: Breaking Christmas Chains Forged in Life

The First Candle: Faith

Each of us must face Christmas chains we have forged and ask for God’s help to break them, so we can be free to celebrate Advent with a hallelujah spirit.

Luke 1:76 — “You… will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord.”

Let’s get prepared for the celebration of the arrival of God’s Son this year. Let’s minimize the number of anxieties that we typically face as we spend the next several weeks journeying to a hallelujah spirit. Are there any negative patterns you might bring to the celebration of Christmas this year that you would like to break?

Pray: “Father in heaven, give me faith to believe that with Your help I can break Christmas chains I have forged in my life. As Advent is about the coming to earth of Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ, may He be honored this year in the way I celebrate His birth. Amen!”

Read: John 1:1-9

Romans 12:2a — “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.”

Think about what “chains” you may have been forging. Figure out what has been negative about past Christmases, and what you can do to break those chains.

Advent Week 2 — Dec. 8

Theme: Reawakening the joy Inherent in Christmas

The Second Candle: Joy

We need to revisit the times when we experienced holy, festive moments. To be transformed, we should start building memories that will reawaken Christmas jpy, not only for this season but for many years to come.

Luke 2:19 — “Mary quietly treasured these things in her heart and thought about them often.”

What about Christmas favorites? When you consider past Christmases, what memories are reawakened? The joys inherent in Christmas are reawakened when we allow our minds to dwell on the memories of good times.

Psalm 46:10 — “Be still and know … God.”

Take some time to be still and know what God has done in your life. Allow happy memories to show you how often JOY knocks at your door.

Pray: “Father in heaven, as we light the second candle of the Advent season, help us bring to mind the joys of past Christmases. Teach us also to create joyous memories for the future. Let this journey to hallelujah be one of reality, not make-believe. As Advent is about the coming to earth of Your Son our Savior, Jesus Christ, may He be honored this year in the way we celebrate His birth. Amen!”

Read: Luke 1:39-45; 2:8-14

Luke 2:10 — “The angel reassured them. ‘Don’t be afraid!’ he said. ‘I bring you good news of great joy for everyone!’”

I trust that this article helps to encourage your faith and rekindle your joy this Advent Season! Blessings!

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The Rev. Edroy “Curt” Curtis is lead pastor of Havre Assembly and president of Greater Havre Area Ministerial Association