|
|
Dear First Presbyterian Members & Friends Advent means “coming to” or “coming towards.” For Christians it means that God has come, is coming, and will come to fulfill his redemptive plan for his people and for all of human history. Jesus of Nazareth, Jesus the Christ, Jesus our Savior and Lord is Emmanuel “God With Us.” Jesus is the One who offers any and every person, any and every family, any and every nation the fullness of life, the purposes of God, the way to live in grace and peace both now and eternally. Advent means that Jesus came into this world 2,000 years ago at just the right time in God’s plan to live a righteous life, teach the things of the kingdom of heaven, give up his life on the cross as a ransom for lost people, to offer a substitutionary atonement for the sins of his people, to raise again from death to life that first Easter day, ascend and reign with the Father and the Spirit forevermore. Advent means that Jesus comes into our lives in the present by faith in his name (Jesus = the one who saves; Christ = anointed one, Messiah). As we trust in Jesus in the present, he calls us to a new way of life: loving God, loving neighbor, and making disciples. As a congregation, we are called to new ways of expressing the presence of Jesus in our lives through worship, study of God’s word, fellowship with one another, and serving the community around us in Jesus’ name. Advent means that Jesus is coming again. Either at the time of our own physical death or at the end of human history, we will experience the perfect completion of God’s plan for our lives in judgment and/or mercy. The following Advent reflections are meant to help us, those we know, and people all around us come to a fuller understanding of faith and life in Christ. With Joy to the World,
|