it's beginning to look a lot like advent

Two or three weeks ago began talk about the advent season at St. Paul's. I had absolutely no idea what that meant but assumed it had something to do with Christmas. I have since inquired about the meaning of advent and was correct-- it is about Christmas!! The birth of Christ. I did not realize, however, that during advent we not only celebrate His birth but we really focus on and look forward to Him coming back.

The sermon series started a week early last week and last night was the second week-- both of them have been amazing. The messages are full of practical tips on how to watch for Jesus (Mark 13) during this advent season and I look forward to applying this series to my entire life. After all, every Sunday we are celebrating Jesus and all that He does and indeed we are working for Him while waiting for His return.

As apart of the advent season, SPCC distributed an advent reading calendar which has been really great in helping me to celebrate and learn about this for the first time. Tonight one of the readings was Micah 4:1-7 and the verses really touched my heart and brought tears of joy to my eyes:

In the last days, the mountains of the LORD's temple
will be established as chief among the mountains;
it will be raised above the hills, and people will stream to it.
Many nations will come to say, "Come, let us go up to
the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us his ways so that we may walk in his paths."
The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes
for strong nations far and wide.
They will beat their swords into plowshares and thei spears
into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation,
nor will they train for war anymore.
Everyone will sit under their own vine and under their own fig tree
and no one will make them afraid,
for the LORD Almight has spoken.
All the nations may walk in the name of their gods;
we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever.

There is no particular verse that catches my eye anymore than the others-- it is just full of hope and spoken so eloquently. It also lead a song that we sang in worship last night into my heart.


As surely as the sun will rise, you'll come to us
As certain as the dawn appears

You'll come, let your glory fall as you respond to us,
Spirit rain, flood into our thirsty hearts again, you'll come.

So this advent season, let us not be caught sleeping. Let us be watching for Jesus and seeing God in each of our moments of everyday. Let us celebrate His birth and look forward to when He returns.