1. ADVENT

2. Advent has tremendous significance for Christians. It is the beginning of the church year, characterized by expectation and longing for the coming of God’s promised Messiah. Advent is a season of preparation for the joy of the Incarnation. But many people, including good church folk, experience little joy in Christmas these days. We should not be surprised if we don’t experience real joy in Christmas when we do not engage in the serious and intentional preparation of Advent. The problem is that Advent does not exist in our culture. Thanks to the juggernaut of commercial profit, the season of Advent has been replaced by a Christmas season now imposed upon us well before Thanksgiving. The choice to let Advent be Advent can only be made and held to in our churches and homes because public space is thoroughly co-opted by consumer mentality and commercial interests. I believe that even in our churches and homes, it is only possible to reclaim Advent to the extent that we change our way of perceiving and celebrating Christmas. If Christmas is understood primarily as a time for gift-giving, elaborate parties, and meeting our children’s expectations of goods and goodies, Advent has little chances of reemerging. It will remain, of necessity, the great party and purchase frenzy of the year.

3. The Journey of Advent Advent is the beginning of the Church year. Beginning in Advent the church calendar marks our journey in celebration of the life and ministry of the Lord from his coming among us as a man through his triumphant return to the “right hand of the Father.” In the four weeks of Advent often we journey through the events leading up to Christ’s birth. Advent is a season where we find ourselves stopping and reflection on our way to Bethlehem.

4. Think about and discuss: What insights have you had this Advent seasons either through this class, or through your own personal Advent preparation in the last week? How has your Advent preparation gone so far? What has been helpful? What do you hope to continue or change in the next two weeks?

5. Matthew 1:18-24 18 This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. 19 Joseph, her fiancé, was a good man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly. 20 As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet: 23 “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’” 24 When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife.

6. O come, O come, Immanuel, Ruler of All Nations, Rising Dawn, Key of David, Flower and Root of Jesse, Wisdom of the Ages: whatever we call you, you are God with us, the Word made flesh, the light of the world. You call each of us by name and ask that we serve you with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. Dwell in us, we pray. Let your name always be in our heart. Guide us gently through this week, as we stop to breathe in your Spirit. We pray in the saving name of Immanuel, Jesus Christ. Amen.