The church calendar begins its year with Advent: a season of expectation and waiting that stretches from the fourth Sunday before Christmas and ends on Christmas Eve. Through our Advent Guide (produced originally in 2017), Calvary provides a weekly practice by which to walk through this season with greater intentionality. This guide follows key individuals through a portion of their biblical narrative, observing their obedience to God in bringing about His ultimate plan of redemption. Each week also asks you to consider how their stories impact your own. Throughout Advent, you will see how God redeems pain, blesses obedience, and provides for us as we wait on Him – and ultimately how He fulfills all His promises in Jesus. Join us in celebrating this season; follow along with our church-wide Advent Guide, printable copies are available at calvarygr.org/advent.
On this fourth Sunday of Advent we light the love candle. Christmas is in six days and whether we’re ready or not, it will be here shortly. We think of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and whether she felt prepared or not her waiting was nearly at its end. Jesus, the Savior of the world would come to be with us in His perfect timing. Advent is a season to learn from Mary what it looks like to humbly accept what the Lord desires, whether or not we feel ready or prepared for what He has planned.
God is waiting to break into our lives, to deliver us from the sin that entangles. Will we be like Mary and open ourselves to Him? Will we believe that there is blessing in believing that the Lord will do as He says? This is our prayer for you today – that you would have the courage to open yourself up to receive God’s love this Christmas. That you would believe that He is who He says He is and let His love transform your life. That in turn you might love others and transform our world.