advent – Learn To Be Wise

Advent Christmas series titled The Light of the World

Every year as we approach the Christmas season, we automatically focus on Bible passages in Luke chapter 2:1-20 and Matthew chapter 2:1-12 where the Christmas story is found. As I was thinking about the Advent/Christmas messages for this year I thought about the fact that the gospel of John also introduces the story of Jesus in its own rich way. It would be different, and enlightening to explore John 1:1-18 during the Christmas season and allow its deep theological themes to weave in and out of the Christmas narratives in our minds and holiday celebrations. So, after prayer and study, that is how I’ve designed the Advent/Christmas series for this year.

Advent/Christmas Series – The Light of the World
A study of Jesus in John 1:1-18
Date	Title/concept	Text	Suggested carol(s)
Nov. 27	Way Before Christmas	John 1:1-3	Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne (169)
Dec. 4	The Word	John 1:1	What Child Is This (180)
Dec. 11	The Light	John 1:4-9	Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (181) O Little Town of Bethlehem (192)
Dec. 18	Not Received Well	John 1:10-13	We Three Kings (197) I Heard the Bells (196)
Dec. 24	The Word Made Flesh	John 1:14	Gentle Mary Laid Her Child Angels, from the Realms of Glory (182)
Dec. 25	Gifts of Grace	John 1:15-18	O Come All Ye Faithful (178)

adventwreath — advent wreath on the fourth Sunday

JoAnne leading choir on a fourth Sunday of Advent while we served in Bentley Creek PA

How do you describe the Sunday before Christmas? From my observations over the years, at church, it’s one of the most musical of the year. Many churches put on special dramatic presentations on this Sunday. Special groups such as vocal or Handbell or brass choirs are more likely to sing or play on this day than any other except perhaps Easter. Here we will enjoy a string trio this Sunday–what a treat. It is also the most likely Sunday of the whole year for children’s dramatic and choir events – those memorable times when the Wallace Purling’s of the world add their own unforgettable touch to the Christmas story (http://www.santaclaus.com/christmas-stories/wally.html).

From a decorations point of view, it’s always one of the most beautiful Sundays of the year at church too. Christmas wreaths, lights, ornament, candles, a Christmas tree stacked with gifts for those-in-need, and lots of poinsettias all combine to create a wonderfully inspiring scene. Our talented decorator, Leah, has accented richly with red! Here in Syracuse area, there’s about an 80% or more chance that it will be snowing outside too for that extra touch of romanticism – did I say that?

The sense of anticipation is heightened as the Advent wreath burns brightly– all four outside candles lit, waiting only for the coming of Christmas Eve and the climactic lighting of the center candle, the Christ candle, that proclaims again that Jesus is indeed the light of our world too. The whole motive for this Advent emphasis is to help us keep the main thing the main thing in the Christmas season; to assist us in keeping the reason for the season, the reason for our own celebrations; to remind us that giving to others happens because “God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).” So as the light of the wreath burns brighter, our spiritual eyes brighten too with joy looking forward to celebrating again the arrival of the one who is the light of the world, the light of our lives, and who is also the light of that eternal city that He is preparing for all who love Him.

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