Weekly Update// Alina// Pastoral Intern
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Advent is already here! Christmas trees are up, candles are ready, radio stations and music apps have the Christmas options on, and all-size lights are shining almost everywhere we look. Advent is here! He is coming!
I love this season, the colors, the decorations, the scents, the Christmas music, the food, the sweets, and all that is traditional at this time. However, as a Christian, I mainly love it because it encourages us to pause and be intentional in the waiting. For me, it is like getting ready and willfully preparing for the most meaningful event of the year. He is coming!
I can hardly imagine how it felt for Israel’s people to wait so long for the Messiah. I believe they waited for more than the fulfillment of a prophecy, a long-awaited promise, or hope to become alive, and I believe it meant more than anything that they waited to know that God had not forgotten them in their suffering and that God still loved them even after so many mistakes. They were waiting for God’s presence among them.
How is that one prepares oneself for an event like this? Some consider it a time of penitence, fasting and reading Scripture. Others like cleaning their houses and placing a Nativity in the center of the house, others decorate them fully and prepare an Advent calendar to count the days, and others make sure to get flight tickets and trips planned to go home with family on time (like me). Others go bravely beyond and look to repair and amend mistakes, while others look to fix broken relationships.
In any case, what do you do to prepare yourself during this time of waiting? I want to invite you to reflect on what it means for you to wait for the coming of the Messiah. Take time and prepare your hearts, minds, and souls to embrace that God is coming! Let us not lose the richness and the benefit of experiencing the promise, longing, hope, and expectation of Advent.
As we move through Advent, we can walk this journey together, this second Advent Sunday we will light the Peace candle, and we will continue to learn about the Characters of Christmas. Pastor Chris’ sermon will be about Mary. Join us at the 9:30 am and 11:00 am worship services (in person or online!).
We know December is looking full, but please do not forget to mark your calendars; Asbury’s Angel Tree is waiting for your presents for children and youth, the Christmas Cantata will be on December 16, 17, and 18, and the Blue Christmas service will be on December 21.
Let us get ready as we wait for Emmanuel, be blessed!
Alina Saucedo Paucara
Asbury’s Pastoral Intern