Hey bloggers! Before we delve into this week's post about the season of advent I have some very exciting, and long awaited, news. Almost two weeks ago a book was released called People Are Good: 100 True Stories to Restore Your Faith in Humanity by AnnaMarie McHargue. Inside there are two short, nonfiction stories written by... me! A few months ago I submitted some stories about when everyday strangers had helped me and made a huge impact on my life. They were selected and put into this book along with stories from some of my wonderful writing friends. It's such a cool experience to see my name in this book and I just had to share this great news with all of you who have followed me so faithfully along this writing journey.
If you'd like to take a look at this book it's available on Amazon. Just search, People Are Good.
In other news, December is officially here! And with December comes the wonderful season of Advent. If you attend church during the month of December you'll often see an evergreen wreath with four candles around it and one in the center. But this pretty display is more then a decoration, so what does it mean?
First we need to know what the Advent season is. It's the four weeks before Christmas which is a time to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. When God sent his Son, Jesus, to come to Earth to be born of a virgin. Jesus lived a sinless life then was crucified on the Cross in our place, taking on the sins of the world so we might accept His free gift of salvation and spend eternity with God in heaven. Three days after the Crucifixion He was raised to life again, He spent forty days teaching among the people then ascended into Heaven but one day He will return to rapture the believers and bring judgement on the Earth.
Our celebration of Christmas begins with remembering Christ's birth because of what it all leads up to- His gift of salvation.
So the first Sunday of Advent is the candle of Prophecy and Hope. In the New International Version Romans 15:12-13 says "And again, Isaiah says, 'The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope,' May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
What a great passage! Isaiah prophesied the birth of Christ and when He arrived He gave us a reason to hope! Our hope is that we can be reconciled to God, through Christ. That my friends, is the gift of salvation.
And I love what Paul says next, "May the God of hope" what a great way to remember God. He is the God of hope who fills us with joy and peace when we trust in Him. Then we can overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Advent is an amazing time of year, one filled with hope, joy, love and peace. This advent season remember the source of where those things come from as you go about your holiday business.
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