It’s all around us. The shops are selling festive shaped crisps, houses are starting to twinkle and churches and shops are switching to carols and Christmas songs. It can only mean one thing: it’s nearly Christmas!
To some that might lead to a stirring of excitement, for others it’s not quite such a joyful time. However, Christmas is not yet here. It is actually the period of ‘advent’, the period of preparation. Yes, on one hand that means getting in the necessary food, making sure you have all the gifts you want to give, and hanging decorations (if you’re a Christmas person) but it’s also about preparing for the coming of Jesus.
Today is the first Sunday of advent. Despite what the chocolate calendars tell you, advent does not start on December 1st; it starts 4 Sundays before Christmas where some churches will light the candles on an advent wreath, one a week and finish with the centre candle on Christmas day.
It’s a period where the promises of the old testament are remembered, the promises of a saviour, of one who would make a way for us to be with God, one who would be a leader and a shepherd to his people. These promises were fulfilled in the birth of Jesus. Emmanuel, God with us, God taking human form to walk among us, a leader like no other.
Why do I tell you this? Because for me, it is a time to realign with God. Its the start of a new Christian year, so a fresh start from what has been, and a hopeful look at what is to come. I look forward to Christmas and all the celebration it entails, but I do not want to waste the preparation time. And so, for my own benefit (and anyone else who chooses to read along) I will prepare for Jesus, I will realign. Between now and Christmas I shall write some short (and some maybe not so short) reflections on God’s promises and on who God is.
Isaiah 9: 6 says ‘For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.’
As we journey to Christmas, maybe take a bit of time to think. Who is Jesus to you? What title is most appropriate for your relationship with Jesus, for what he has done and who he has been to you this year?
I’ll start. To me, this year in particular, Jesus has been…
On second thoughts, I’ll write that post tomorrow.
The Reason for my Hope Blog 