Today is the first Sunday of Advent!
Advent is the season four weeks before Christmas in which we prepare for the coming of Christ. It begins on the Sunday nearest to November 30th.
Advent is the period of preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus, and its name comes from the Latin word adventus, which means “coming.”
How does Advent relate to us in 2018?
It reminds us to prepare our hearts for celebrating the birth of Jesus. If we don’t make an intentional effort, we will miss it!
There’s more to Christmas than trees, gifts, Black Friday shopping, and Santa Claus. This Christmas.
I don’t know about you, but I want less hustle and bustle and more simple and sacred.
We are going to light the first candle on the Advent wreath together, and the candle is the light of HOPE.
Some of you today have lost hope. Life has been difficult whether it’s finances or health issues. Maybe it’s a family member that’s lost their way, or maybe you’ve lost someone you love.
Scripture reminds us we still have hope!
- So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord! Psalm 31:24
- I am counting on the Lord; yes, I am counting on him. I have put my hope in his word. Psalm 130:5
- But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31
- Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23
- May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
- For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
This Christmas season will you join me and make room for Jesus? Don’t worry if your tree isn’t perfect, or the baking isn’t finished. It’s not about perfect packages and cramming in every holiday activity we can over a few weeks.
It’s about Jesus……
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14
My Prayer for You:
I pray You’ll be our eyes
And watch us where we go
And help us to be wise
In times when we don’t know
Let this be our prayer
When we lose our way
Lead us to a place
Guide us with Your grace
To a place where we’ll be safe
La luce che tu hai (I pray we’ll find Your light)
Nel cuore restera (And hold it in our hearts)
A ricordarci che (When stars go out each night)
Eterna stella sei
Nella mia preghiera (Let this be our prayer)
Quanta fede c’e (When shadows fill our day)
Lead us to a place
Guide us with Your grace
Give us faith so we’ll be safe
A world where pain and sorrow will be ended
And every heart that’s broken will be mended
And we’ll remember we are all God’s children
Reaching out to touch You, reaching to the sky
We ask that life be kind (We ask that life be kind)
And watch us from afar (And watch us from afar)
We hope each soul will find (We hope each soul will find)
Another soul to love (Another soul to love)
Let this be our prayer (Let this be our prayer)
Just like every child (Just like every child)
Needs to find a place
Guide us with Your grace
Give us faith so we’ll be safe
Lead us to find a place
Guide us with Your grace
Give us faith so we’ll be safe
Have a blessed Sunday!
Cyndi, thank you SO much for your post on Advent! My Advent wreath means the world to me, I light one candle every night the first week, then two the next and so on…..and on Christmas Day, one white candle is lit to give light to the entire beautiful day of Christ’s birth. I have a booklet of prayers for each day and watch the smoke from the blown-out candle waft my prayers to Heaven (this is what I believe). I even surround my head with the smoke, as our Jewish sisters do on Shabbat. Thank you again for recognizing this important part of the celebration of the Birth of Christ Jesus, and God bless you, your family and all your readers with a blessed and peaceful Christmas and a New Year that is ever closer to the Lord!
I agree with you about the hustle and bustle of Christmas. Thanks for the scriptures and I loved the music. Touched my heart.
AMEN! This song is so amazing! Thank you for sharing. 🙂
Thank you. You have inspired me too read in the Bible of the coming of Christ. ❤️
Hi
Can you tell me where i can purchase the advent wreath and candle in the picture on the post?
Thank you!
Advent to me truly is the start of what Christmas means. Now we can and should consider putting up our trees and let the magic take over.
For once I am quite well organised – all presents bought and wrapped, cards wrote and ready to post. Food all organised as spending Christmas with family. Time to relax now and enjoy the festive season. Jill x
Oh, my gosh! Perfect! You are preaching to me today! Love you and value you! I hope this holiday season, for you and your family, is full of all the best, simple pleasures. You all deserve it. Much love always.
Cyndi, thank you for your thoughts and sharing the scripture. The Lord has given you a talent to write and you use it to share his word. I didn’t attend church this morning because I was wrapped up in other things. Thank you for reminding me of the reason for the season. God Bless you and your family.
Absolutely beautiful words … thank you!
Thank you Cyndi, I needed to hear this today!!
Have a blessed evening and week ahead!!
Awesome song! Loved the Bible verses too.
This is beautiful. Such a wonderful reminder.
Thank you so much for the time and study you put into these Sunday posts. They are so meaningful and appreciated. The way you gather so many scriptures addressing a situation is very good.
AMEN!!!!!!
What a wonderful post, Cyndi-and much needed. Thank you so much💕
Such a beautiful post. I feel like I just had church 😊. I appreciate you so much. I needed this today.
This post complements our morning worship service today. My husband preached on “The Word Became Flesh” and we sang of our HOPE in anticipation of His coming, as the first Advent candle was lit. Blessed First Day of Advent, Cyndi!
Love that song so much! We were reminded in church this morning, too,….let’s all remember that Jesus is the reason for the season. Thank you for your keeping Jesus in all you do! You are beautiful inside and out!
This message was such an ENCOURAGEMENT to me. What would we do without HOPE!!! Thank you for using your posts to bring light into our hearts.
I agree with you, Jesus is the reason for the season. My Christmas for the first time in a long time will be simple and sacred this year Thanks for all you do
Love your blog. Hope in Jesus. He is the reason for Christmas joy!
Just beautiful!