At the ACC after-school tutoring program a few weeks ago Pastor David casually mentioned to me that he and Sobeyda were going to be hosting a refugee family from El Salvador. My heart jumped with excitement...what an opportunity for ACC to show the love of God! I also was encouraged by their willingness to share their living space with strangers, knowing they give so much already as a Pastor and Counselor. The next day Carolina and her almost 11 year old son Onandy arrived....
The primary focus of Advent is on the second coming of Christ, who will arrive in glory on the last day to consummate the kingdom of God. That is the special note of Adventits orientation toward the promised future. The other seasons in the church calendar follow the events in the historical life of Christhis incarnation (Christmas), the manifestation to the Gentiles (Epip...
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Advent is the beginning of the church year for most churches in the Western tradition. It begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas day, which is the Sunday nearest November 30, and ends on Christmas Eve (Dec 24). The word Advent means "coming" or "arrival." The focus of the entire season is the celebration of the birth of Jesus the Christ in his First Advent, and ...
Keep Reading Advent is marked by a spirit of expectation, of anticipation, of preparation, of longing. There is a yearning for deliverance from the evils of the world, first expressed by Israelite slaves in Egypt as they cried out from their bitter oppression. It is the cry of those who have experienced the tyranny of injustice in a world under the curse of sin, and yet who have hope o...
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What does an advent wreath symbolize? A wreath is from ancient times a sign of victory. The circle of the wreath reminds us of God himself, his eternity and endless mercy, which has no beginning or end--as well as everlasting life--the eternal victory we have over death through Jesus Christ. The evergreens that make up the wreath speak of God's faithfulness to his people-...
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