Celebrating Advent and Christmas This Year

Advent: Preparing For His Coming
The church year begins with The Season of Advent, the four Sundays before Christmas. Advent means “coming.” In Advent, we focus on the coming of Christ into the world (past), in our hearts (present), and the “second coming” (future). Celebrating Advent is a meaningful way to prepare for the Christmas season. What could your family do to make the Christmas season meaningful?
❆ Be sure to attend worship each Sunday. There will be special elements of the Christmas season shared in each worship service to remind you of the significance of Christ coming to earth.

❆ Pick up an Advent Devotional, “Transforming This Christmas,” available in the glassed foyer area. Set some time aside each day during Advent to be spiritually fed, inspired, and encouraged. While you’re picking up a devotional booklet, don’t forget to pick up a copy of “Advent, Christmas, Epiphany: What’s All This About?” This will help you to better understand the symbols and colors of Advent.

❆ Create a family tradition. Attend a Christmas play, special music presentation, town tree lighting, etc. Our own worship ministries at Hebron will be presenting “Sing Gloria” on December 10th and 11th at 6:00 p.m. Dinner will be served. Tickets are $2.50 each. Bring the entire family for this special Christmas musical event.

❆ Be a blessing to others by giving a special gift or by doing something special for someone who is not expecting it. The best way that we can celebrate the Christmas season is by sharing with others the greatest gift of all – Jesus!

You definitely don’t want to miss out on the wonder of the Christmas season. How will you celebrate this Christmas season?

In awe of God becoming flesh and dwelling among us!

Pastor Joe

“The Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We observed His glory, the glory as the One and Only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14, HCSB

Sunday's Sermon Text for December 11, 2011 (Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11)

Isaiah 61:1-4, HCSB

Messiah's Jubilee
1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me,
because the LORD has anointed Me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and freedom to the prisoners;

2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor,
and the day of our God's vengeance;
to comfort all who mourn,

3 to provide for those who mourn in Zion;
to give them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
festive oil instead of mourning,
and splendid clothes instead of despair.
And they will be called righteous trees,
planted by the LORD,
to glorify Him.

4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins;
they will restore the former devastations;
they will renew the ruined cities,
the devastations of many generations.
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8 For I the LORD love justice;
I hate robbery and injustice;
I will faithfully reward them
and make an everlasting covenant with them.

9 Their descendants will be known among the nations,
and their posterity among the peoples.
All who see them will recognize
that they are a people the LORD has blessed.

10 I greatly rejoice in the LORD,
I exult in my God;
for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation
and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom wears a turban
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

11 For as the earth brings forth its growth,
and as a garden enables what is sown to spring up,
so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise
to spring up before all the nations.

For His Glory!
Pastor Joe