Advent Season is Near

Advent is almost upon us!

This season marks two important dates in our Christian liturgical calendar: the start of a new liturgical year and the beginning of preparations for Christmas. The word ‘advent’ has its roots in the Latin word ‘adventus’ which means ‘coming.’ And so, these four weeks of Advent, beginning on November 30th, are a time for us to prepare for the coming of Emmanuel, God with us, Love incarnate, who will be born on Christmas.

As we journey through these four weeks of preparation, anticipation, and waiting here at The Baptist Church in the Great Valley, we will be guided by the four traditional themes of Advent (peace, joy, love, and hope) as well as the four women named in Jesus’ genealogy according to the Gospel of Matthew. Inspired by the sermon series No Christmas without Her written by the organization Young Clergy Women International, we will prepare our hearts, minds and spirits for the birth of Christ. Come join me as we hear the stories of Jesus’ family: the peace of Tamar, the joy of Rahab, the love of Ruth, and the hope of Bathsheba.

May these stories of faith give us strength, courage, comfort, and guidance as we prepare for Jesus’ birth.

Advent Blessings,
Pastor Rebecca

Image courtesy of Sanctified Art by Reverend Lauren Wright Pittman.