First Sunday of Advent

By Stephen Smith

This past Sunday, November 30th, was the first Sunday of Advent, and the beginning of the Church Year. Advent is from a Latin word (adventus) which means “coming” or “arrival.” The Season of Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and is a time that looks backward and celebrates the first Coming of Jesus as a baby in a manger; however, it also looks forward and joyfully anticipates the second Coming of Jesus as a victorious conqueror.

There are many resources for celebrating Advent. In this post, I only want to point you to a few places online where you can learn more. Just click on the links to go to the webpages.

1. There was an interesting article in USA Today last week that describes how evangelical Christians are increasingly celebrating this important time of the Church Year.

2. Dennis Bratcher, an ordained minister in the Church of the Nazarene, has put together a helpful page that describes what Advent is and how it can be celebrated.

3. The American Bible Society has compiled a list of short explanations and examples related to Advent. There are many other similar resources, but this will give you a short amount of information if Advent is a new concept to you and you want to learn more.

4.  A website named TheoSource compiles reading lists for Christians. They have put together a list of books that may be read during the Season of Advent. Personally, my family and I are planning to read through Walter Wangerin, Jr.’s Preparing for Jesus this month. He has a reading for each day of Advent.

Well, there are many more resources that could be mentioned, but this should get you started! While we’ll be talking about it during the services at church between now and Christmas, I hope that each of you will personally put forth the effort to make this Season of Advent a special time for you and your families. If you have any helpful ideas for celebrating the season, please mention them in the comments section for this post.