Advent, our countdown to Christmas, is a progressive journey. Much like a progressive dinner, where a group travels sequentially from one home to the next, first partaking of the appetizer and then working your way toward the main course, so it is with Advent. We begin with the messianic promises of the prophets and journey toward the birth of the Christ child, with scenic stops along the way to sense the anxiety and the anticipation of those who have traveled these roads before us.
Last Sunday, we began our Christmas countdown by lighting the Prophecy Candle. Then we visited with the prophet Jeremiah as we were “Researching God’s Family Tree.” We learned, in the words of Calvin Miller, that “Once grace has scrubbed the soul, anyone can take their place in the lineage of the Son of God.”
This Sunday we will light the Angel’s Candle and we will visit with Zechariah where our quest will be “Discovering the Lost Christmas Carol.” Between Mary’s song, often called “The Magnificat,” and the angel’s song of “Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men,” we will explore an often overlooked song by a previously muted priest and father who played a crucial role in God’s great drama of salvation.
This season of the year presents a unique opportunity to invite disconnected friends and family members to join you in worship.
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