First Sunday of Advent

Today is the first Sunday of Advent.  At our home we celebrate Advent by lighting one of the candles, reading some Scripture, singing a hymn and prayer.  Also the girls get to open up a small gift at the end. (sometimes you need to use the carrot so that the kids will be engaged during that time).

Advent is a time to prepare our hearts and remember.  It is easy for Christmas to become another day that slips by.  Advent excites our heart and stirs up reflection.  It remembers that for thousands of years, Israel anticipated the coming of a Messiah.  Although we now can look in our rearview mirror and know that He has indeed come, we still are called to anticipate.  We anticipate a day when He will come again!

Here are a couple of select verses to meditate on for the first week of Advent.

Jeremiah 23:5-6
“Time’s coming”—GOD’s Decree—
    “when I’ll establish a truly righteous David
    Branch,
A ruler who knows how to rule justly.
    He’ll make sure of justice and keep people
    united.
In his time Judah will be secure again
    and Israel will live in safety.
This is the name they’ll give him:
    ‘GOD-Who-Puts-Everything-Right.’”
    A Child Will Be Born to Us

Isaiah 9:2-7
The people who walked in darkness
    have seen a great light.
For those who lived in a land of deep shadows—
    light! Sunbursts of light!
You repopulated the nation,
    you expanded its joy.
Oh, they’re so glad in your presence!
    Festival joy!

The joy of a great celebration,
    sharing rich gifts and warm greetings.
The abuse of oppressors and cruelty of tyrants—
    all their whips and cudgels and curses—
Is gone, done away with, a deliverance
    as surprising and sudden as Gideon’s old victory over Midian.
The boots of all those invading troops,
    along with their shirts soaked with innocent blood,
Will be piled in a heap and burned,
    a fire that will burn for days!
For a child has been born—for us!
    the gift of a son—for us!
He’ll take over
    the running of the world.
His names will be: Amazing Counselor,
    Strong God,
    Eternal Father,
    Prince of Wholeness.
His ruling authority will grow,
    and there’ll be no limits to the wholeness he brings.