Today is the first Sunday of Advent. What is a Southern Baptist/Independent church blogger doing writing about Advent, you ask? Well, I’ll tell you if you want to keep reading…

I grew up going to a United Methodist Church here in Las Cruces. As a kid, Advent meant candles, singing, and counting the days to Christmas. The simple answer as to why I’m celebrating Advent as an adult as exactly the same! Advent is the start of the Christmas season — the “Christ Mass.” It is a nice alternative to the commercialism of the holiday season. After all, Wal-Mart started playing Christmas music while the Halloween decorations were still up at the stores!

As I mentioned before, November 30 is the first Sunday of Advent, which traditionally spans the four Sundays prior to Christmas Eve. If Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday, then it counts as the fourth Sunday of Advent. Advent literally means “coming.” For the Christian, it symbolizes the coming of the Christ child into the world (Light into darkness), as well as the expectation that Christ is coming again. Advent is about hope, peace, joy, and new life.

There are several Advent devotions out there on the web. In my church, and with my family, we use the Advent Wreath as a visual reminder. We also have several Christmas Calendars (including a groovy new one that my parents just got us). Although my daughter principally enjoys checking off the days until Christmas, I must admit that I still rather enjoy it as a 37 year-old borderline middle-aged dude.

Celebrate with us as we look forward to Christmas!