November 29th, 2023
The Upward Look, by Jon Forrest
Advent – A Christmas Warmup
In a "Peanuts" cartoon strip, good old Charlie Brown says to Linus, "Life is just too much for me. I’ve been confused from the day I was born. I think the whole trouble is that we’re thrown into life too fast. We’re not really prepared." Linus asks, "What did you want . . . a chance to warm up first?"
Linus’ take on life is funny to me because a mother’s 9-month period of gestation is just that…a warmup for life outside the womb. Scripture often speaks of the pregnancy of a woman as an example of living in expectation of a major eschatological event such as the coming of the Messiah or the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Advent season is supposed to be our chance to warm up. The word Advent means to await – we await the coming of the King, Jesus Christ. It’s that time to prepare our hearts and homes for the birth of the Christ child.
I love the Advent season because we are given opportunities for spiritual preparation and growth as we see Christmas coming. We light candles that represent Hope, Peace, Love and Joy; all very important aspects of the things Christ came to give all who would receive the baby King of Glory. We do daily devotional readings that inspire us to draw closer to our Savior through celebrating his coming into our lives.
In many homes, Christmas packages are wrapped and placed under the tree. Children see their names and begin to anticipate receiving whatever is contained under the beautiful paper, ribbon and bow which conceals its true identity. This anticipation becomes overwhelming as curiosity builds to the day it get’s opening. Sometimes the wait for opening gifts is just as exciting as the actual revelation of the contents.
I hope that your excitement grows through this Advent Season as you look forward to Christmas. Each Sunday we will research a different aspect of the revelation of God’s love though the birth and life of His Son. May Jesus and God’s gift to you become a tremendous blessing through this adventure.
This Sunday I will share a message with you from Isaiah 9:6-7 and Luke 2:29-32 titled The Promised One. I hope and pray that you will experience the warmth and excitement that comes from the God who always keeps His promises.
Warming up with you,
Jon
Advent – A Christmas Warmup
In a "Peanuts" cartoon strip, good old Charlie Brown says to Linus, "Life is just too much for me. I’ve been confused from the day I was born. I think the whole trouble is that we’re thrown into life too fast. We’re not really prepared." Linus asks, "What did you want . . . a chance to warm up first?"
Linus’ take on life is funny to me because a mother’s 9-month period of gestation is just that…a warmup for life outside the womb. Scripture often speaks of the pregnancy of a woman as an example of living in expectation of a major eschatological event such as the coming of the Messiah or the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Advent season is supposed to be our chance to warm up. The word Advent means to await – we await the coming of the King, Jesus Christ. It’s that time to prepare our hearts and homes for the birth of the Christ child.
I love the Advent season because we are given opportunities for spiritual preparation and growth as we see Christmas coming. We light candles that represent Hope, Peace, Love and Joy; all very important aspects of the things Christ came to give all who would receive the baby King of Glory. We do daily devotional readings that inspire us to draw closer to our Savior through celebrating his coming into our lives.
In many homes, Christmas packages are wrapped and placed under the tree. Children see their names and begin to anticipate receiving whatever is contained under the beautiful paper, ribbon and bow which conceals its true identity. This anticipation becomes overwhelming as curiosity builds to the day it get’s opening. Sometimes the wait for opening gifts is just as exciting as the actual revelation of the contents.
I hope that your excitement grows through this Advent Season as you look forward to Christmas. Each Sunday we will research a different aspect of the revelation of God’s love though the birth and life of His Son. May Jesus and God’s gift to you become a tremendous blessing through this adventure.
This Sunday I will share a message with you from Isaiah 9:6-7 and Luke 2:29-32 titled The Promised One. I hope and pray that you will experience the warmth and excitement that comes from the God who always keeps His promises.
Warming up with you,
Jon
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