One of the changes we have made as a church over the last few years is to restore the idea of Advent: A season of waiting and anticipation as we get ready to celebrate the birth of our Lord on Christmas morning. Although this is my favorite time of year, I am also very aware that it is an extremely difficult time for many people. One of the difficulties of preaching during Advent, is finding the balance between emphasizing the hope and joy of the season while acknowledging the pain that so many experience. But Advent reminds us that there is still work to be done before we get to the celebration on Christmas morning. During the Advent season, our readings and our songs of praise remind us that before we celebrate the light that came into the world we have to take stock of the darkness that surrounds us in our world, as well as the darkness in our own hearts. In order to fully celebrate the light of Christ, we must fearlessly face the darkness, both without and within. Through today’s message we’ll wrestle with an important spiritual truth: At Christmas time, when we find ourselves overwhelmed by the darkness in this world, the hope of Jesus shines bright beyond our circumstances!

In His Service,

Pastor Steve