Advent

Well, we know that Christmas most probably didn't happen in December - way too cold in Israel for those poor shepherds and sheep at that time of the year! And the tree and tinsel and candles, etc were really pagan symbols incorporated into Christianity to try and keep everyone happy. And we have been through the "do we, don't we" debate - and for some years we actually didn't. 


However, one year I realized, that regardless of all the pagan stuff attached the "silly season", when I think of Christmas, I do think of Jesus coming to earth as a baby in order to later die on a cross and after 3 days to rise again so that my sins are forgiven and I can have eternal life (you too, by the way :)


And no, that is not the only time I remember that. But it is a good time to reflect again on what it all meant. And yes, we do now enjoy the "fun" bits, like the trees and lights and gifts.


Last year, for the first time, we decided to (loosely) follow advent. We light the candle every evening (although, this year Advent has started, and I do still need to buy the candle...oh, dear, sometimes time just does run away with me!)
But we have started reading our advent story :)

Last year, we read the first in the series - Jotham's Journey. It was great fun, and at some moments, a nail biting, hang onto your seat read - seems like Bartholomew's story is going to be the same. Set in the time of Roman occupation of Israel, Bartholomew is separated from his family and needs to learn to trust that God is in control, even during the storms of our life...sounds familiar!! And at the end of the story, he meets the real Messiah - saviour of the world.


And tomorrow, we are going to friends to make our own Advent calendars! Just in time, seeing as tomorrow is the 1st of December!


My prayer for you, is that you too will experience the peace that our Lord Jesus brings as we prepare our hearts and remember again His great love for us.