Join us December 5th for our annual Advent Celebration dinner. 

WHAT IS ADVENT AND WHY DO WE CELEBRATE IT WITH A LADIES DINNER? Advent simply means “coming” or “arrival.” For those new to the word, it is a special word and event to all Christian believers. When we speak of the first Advent of Christ, we mean that Christ himself came into humanity at a particular time in history. We know this time was over 2,000 years ago in the city of Bethlehem. (Matthew 1-2) You might also hear us speak of the second Advent of Christ. This hasn’t happened, yet, but we eagerly wait for the second Advent of Christ when he returns to ransom his church. (John 14:1-3) When we speak of the Advent season,  we are describing a time in the traditional Christian church calendar – the four Sundays before Christmas – that has been celebrated by the church around the world for centuries. 

 The season of Advent is a time to participate in the “waiting” and “longing” that believers throughout all of time have felt in their unique position in history. We do this by looking back and remembering how the Israelites longed for the arrival of a Savior King who would rescue and restore its Nation-people again (the first Advent – 2 Samuel 7:12-13). What a precious gift to have that longing satisfied in the arrival of Christ, yet, as we all know Christ came with the intent to redeem his people by dying the death that we deserved effectively destroying the power of sin and darkness over believers. Once Christ died, was buried, was resurrected and ascended into heaven, believers the Christian world over have been joyfully awaiting his promised return.

Participating in the tradition of Advent tunes our hearts to recognize the truth that we are waiting people – people waiting for our comfort and joy when Christ to make all things new! We are not under a command to observe the season of Advent, but we are commanded to be a people that remember (Ex. 20:8, Deut. 5:15) .Our observance of Advent is our way of being a people who remember the truth that our comfort and joy in the busyness of the holidays is truly and completely in Christ alone.  

Maybe hosting isn’t your thing or maybe we have enough hosts for all our table needs! Another way to participate is to show off your baking gifts by preparing 2 dozen cookies for our cookie exchange. Come with 2 dozen, leave with dozens more assortments of cookies. (**We love store bought cookies, too. We covet your presence more than the stress homemade baking might entail for some.)