The Season of Advent

The first Sunday of Advent is the beginning of the new liturgical year for the Christian Church. The word “advent” literally means “coming.” Coming on the heels of Christ the King Sunday, Advent is the season when Christians prepare for the second coming of our King Jesus Christ. There is actually a two-fold meaning of this “Advent” coming. When the Church celebrates Advent, we look toward Jesus’s second coming by remembering his first coming to earth. We ponder again the great mystery of the incarnation when our Lord humbled himself, taking on our humanity, and entering into our time and space to free us from sin. All the while, we recall in the Creed that our Lord will come again to judge the living and the dead and that we must be ready to greet him.

This year, the First Sunday of Advent is November 30th. Advent is a great time to renew faithful worship habits. If you have been away from St. Jacob’s for an extended period, you are encouraged to “come and see” him who is called Christ the Lord. Come hear the good news of salvation and receive the sacrament of his body and blood for the forgiveness of sin. Mid-week Advent Vespers will be observed on the three Wednesdays in Advent (Dec. 3rd, 10th, 17th) this year. Join your church family in worship in all these opportunities to help prepare the way of the Lord.