While there is much debate around the place of the liturgical calendar in the church, it’s roll is an important one. The liturgical calendar places specific emphasis on the rhythms and seasons in the life of the Church. There is beauty and simplicity in rhythm. We see it everywhere we go and we feel the consistency of it’s pulsating beat, causing a stir within our hearts. Rhythm was the idea behind the liturgical calendar, with emphasis on four main seasons: Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter.

“O Come, O Come Emmanuel…”

During Advent, we anxiously await and expect a Savior to come and save His people. This expectation is not a selfish one, but a necessary one. We are a people that NEED saving.

“And ransom captive Israel…”

The season of Advent allows us to refocus our lives and pushes us to understand that in our great need, God sent His son - Emmanuel (God With Us) - for His people as a gift (Isaiah 9:6-7.) In our need, JESUS came to save.

“And mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear…”

Advent is not just a memory; it is a preparation for the Lord Jesus' second coming. It allows us to look forward with anticipation and expectation to the King, riding a white horse, who will come again to save His people. Advent is the expectation of a saving grace, undeserved.

“Rejoice, Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee O Israel!”

Beginning on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, we light candles, we sing songs, and we read scriptures in remembrance that a King once came and a King WILL come again.

Church, during this season of advent, we as a worship team want to invite you to refocus and to rejoice! Pray with the expectation that has been promised throughout scripture. Sing with us O Come O Come Emmanuel, FULLY knowing that He has come, and will come again! The words to this song alone are words of pleading with expectation!

“O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death's dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!”