Advent Resources
Below are the resources we’ve curated to serve as catalysts and guides for us to move intentionally with Jesus through this season. Take some time to consider how you will make these a part of your Advent journey this year. Click the picture for a brief description of each and links to places to purchase copies for those who live out of town.
The Advent Wreath
The Advent Wreath is one of our favorite ways to mark the progression of Advent. The Advent Wreath contains an outer wreath (symbolizing God’s eternal presence) four outer candles (one for each of the four weeks of Advent, which themselves represent the four centuries of waiting from the prophet Malachi and the birth of Christ) and one center candle (for Christmas Day, representing the birth of Jesus). Each week, one additional candle is lit until finally, on Christmas Day, all five candles are glowing symbolizing the light of God which has come in Jesus to dispel darkness. We love placing the Advent Wreath in the center of our dining table and lighting the candles as we share meals throughout the season.
Click here to access a brief Advent Wreath guide which also includes more information on the symbolism of the wreath.
Advent Reading - Rediscovering Christmas
Are you tired of feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and empty during the holiday season? Instead of getting caught up in the hustle and bustle, are you ready to slow down, catch your breath, and rediscover the true beauty of Christmas?
This captivating collection of readings explores the intersection where the ancient context meets the present moment. Pastor AJ Sherrill invites you into an experience designed to renew your mind, reawaken your heart, rekindle your awe, and restore your body.
You can pick up a copy at one of our gatherings. Those who are not local can pick up a copy here.
Weekly Advent Meditations
From Practicing the Way:
”We recommend carving out about an hour by yourself or with your community for each week's meditation, which includes Scripture readings, reflections, and guided prayer. We’re praying these meditations awaken you and your community to the joy and wonder of God.”
Click here to access this free resource.
Rediscovering Christmas Suggested Reading Schedule
November 25: Intro
November 28: Mary
December 2: Joseph
December 5: Innkeeper
December 9: Zechariah
December 12: Elizabeth
December 16: John the Baptist
December 19: Gabriel
About Advent
Sunday, December 1st, marks the official start of the season of Advent. Advent is the 4 week period leading up to Christmas, the day we celebrate Jesus’ birth.
The word “advent” comes from the Latin adventus, which means coming or arrival. And there are actually three parts to Jesus’ advent, his arrival, that we celebrate in this season.
The first is the one we are most used to, the historical arrival of Jesus. The moment God put on flesh, entered into his creation as a baby born into obscurity and controversy, lived as a witness to the life he created us for, laid down his life, and opened up the doorway for us to enter into his presence.
The second “advent” this season reminds us of is that Immanuel, God WITH us, is not just a historical declaration...but a present reality. Through the gift of the Holy Spirit, the presence of God is here now. Alive. Active. Moving. Empowering. Reconciling. As we look back on Jesus’ first advent we are reminded his life opened the doorway for God to enter into every moment, of every day.
The third aspect of Jesus’ advent is the reality that there is a day coming when the thin veil between heaven and earth will finally be pulled back and all will be drawn into the fullness of God’s glory.
As we enter into this season I want to invite you to consider how you will move through it with intentionality. What are the tangible ways you’ll make room for Jesus this Advent?
The reality is, without intentionality we are all too easily swept up into the pace and priority of the things around us. Christmas concerts, shopping lists, holiday get togethers, traffic…an endless barrage of things. A lot of these things are great. But how many of us have found ourselves coming out on the other side of this season like someone who fell into a river with a current we severely underestimated. I know I have.
Now, you can’t control all circumstances. But you can take a moment to pause, reflect, and consider how you will move through Advent with a degree of intentionality that opens you to all this season is.
We’ve curated a set of resources we hope will provide a helpful framework. As you engage the resources and follow your plan spend some time reflecting on all three aspects of Jesus’ advent and the ways God is inviting us in these days to bear witness to the reality that Christ has come, that He is present in the world today, and that He is coming again to make all things new.
When something stands out to you stop and prayerfully ask:
God, what does this reveal about you and what you were doing then?
God, what does this reveal about you and what you are doing now?
God, what does this reveal about you and what you are going to do in the future?
Invite God to speak, then sit long enough to truly listen.