Christmas seems to be one of the busiest times of the year. Everyone is hurrying about with all of the seasonal preparations: buying and wrapping gifts, decorating the house and the tree, Christmas parties and activities. It is because Christmas has become so busy, and in fact has become so commercial and secular, we feel the need to emphasize the season of Advent in the church.Advent is from a Latin word which means "coming." Advent is a time to spiritually prepare our hearts as we anticipate his "first coming", the birth of our Lord. Beginning four Sundays before Christmas we focus our hearts and minds upon the miracle of the Incarnation, that God became man and dwelt among us. We marvel again at the Light of the world that shined into the darkness from a lowly stable in Bethlehem. Advent is also a time of spiritual preparation in anticipation of His second coming.

God promised that a virgin would conceive and bring forth a Son and they would call His name Immanuel, God with us. Advent celebrates the promise kept. In the same way, Jesus promised He would come again so we could be with him forever. Advent anticipates his coming as we celebrate the faithfulness of the One who promised to return, the One who always keeps His promise. Join us as we celebrate Advent. It is our hope this devotional will encourage you as you prepare your heart for His coming. The devotions are brief. Take a moment to read and to reflect on the passage for each day.

Quiet your heart and mind, pray, and make sure you don't rush past the true meaning of Christmas and Advent. Christ is born. Christ is coming. Alleluia.