By Pastor Linda

More than likely, you haven’t even made your first pot of Turkey Soup from Thanksgiving leftovers and we are getting ready this weekend to celebrate the First Sunday of Advent. Traditionally, Advent (derived from Latin word meaning “coming”) is that time of the year followers of Jesus Christ get their hearts prepared to celebrate the birth of our Savior.

Growing up, I loved the Advent Season. We traditionally had Advent Candle lighting every Sunday and it was the start of Christmas Carols in church. Christmas Carols were very much a part of Advent. Being raised in a very traditional denomination, most of our music was a bit somber and sometimes a little depressing (some of you may know what I mean.) But Christmas music was so much brighter, and joy filled. Mom always volunteered for the Christmas Choir and I went to every practice with her. As soon as I was old enough, I began singing in the choir with her. I loved it when on the 1st Sunday of Advent, we rolled out Christmas.

Saturday before that first Sunday, the ladies would come together and decorate the church with green boughs and red ribbons and the place would come alive. The smell of fresh evergreen boughs, candles burning and the sound of Christmas carols, meant to me that Christmas is here again.

I think it is why I love our church so much at Christmas time, and this Saturday and Sunday is even more special. Saturday morning at 10:00 am the ladies of the church are gathering to decorate. Fiona has the Advent candles ready to be lit. Even better, we are launching Advent with a beautiful concert of Christmas carols and songs. Our music director, Rhonda, has been practicing with the Choir and Joy Ensemble for months now to prepare for just this Saturday and Sunday. Some of the songs are originals that Rhonda has written and arranged.

Pastor Josh will have a short message on “Christmas is Joy” to get your Advent season under full swing. We all wish you a Christmas Season filled with God’s many blessings. A great way to kick it off is to join us this weekend for the start of Advent.

Happy Thanksgiving & Merry Christmas

Pastor Linda

PS If you’d like to join in on the decorating, you can join the group at 10 am Saturday at Spirit Falls Sanctuary. It will be fun.