December 2022

Dear Friends of First,

Are you ready for Christmas? As I write this focus article, Christmas is a little over a month away. I don’t know about you, but for me the time just keeps going faster and faster. The first Sunday in Advent is Nov. 27, just three days after we celebrate Thanksgiving. So, “are you ready for Christmas?” There is so much to do... write a Christmas letter, get the family photo printed, get the Christmas cards sent, put up a few decorations, purchase gifts and food for people who are in need, including neighbors, and family. Christmas preparation can be exhausting. But before we throw ourselves into this frenzy, let’s take some time this Advent to look at the real meaning of Christmas and do a different kind of preparation.

The word “Advent” comes from the Latin word adventus, which means “coming” or “visit.” During the season of Advent, we keep in mind both “advents” of Christ: His first, over 2000 years ago on that night in Bethlehem; and His second, which is yet to come at the end of the Age During this Advent season we’ll focus most of our attention around the theme: The Angels of Christmas, Hearing God’s Voice in Advent. Our visions of Christmas have always included images of angels appearing to Mary, Joseph, Zechariah (John the Baptist’s father), and the shepherds. Angels are not unique to the Christmas story; they appear throughout the Bible at very significant moments. However, in the birth narratives of Jesus, their role as God’s messengers of hope, peace, salvation, direction, warning, and especially of Jesus’ identity, make their words; messages we all need to hear, and claim today. After all, the angels bring good news to “all people,” and tidings of great joy.

Please join us this Advent season for an Advent candle lighting ceremony and a four-week sermon series with the following titles: Standing in the Presence of God: Gabriel and Zechariah, Let It Be: Gabriel and Mary, Acting on the Unbelievable: An Angel of the Lord and Joseph, and Hark the Herald Angels Sing: The Angels and the Shepherds.

May your Christmas preparation be a Blessing to you!

Pastor Jim