Welcome to Advent!
Welcome, my Dear Friend in Christ, to this year's Advent devotions!
For some Christians who are not familiar with the church’s liturgical year, there is often some misunderstanding regarding the intended meaning of the Advent season. You have probably been taught that the Advent season focuses on expectation and have come to believe it serves as an anticipation of Christ’s birth in the season leading up to Christmas. This has certainly become part of the story, but there’s more to Advent.
Advent was once a time of fasting and reflection, similar to Lent. It wasn’t until the 6th century that Roman Christians tied Advent to the coming of Christ. But the “coming” they had in mind was not Christ’s first coming in the manger in Bethlehem, but his second coming as the judge of the world. And it was the Christians of the Middle Ages who, finally, plainly linked Advent to Christ’s first coming at Christmas. In some ways, this link has caused us to forget the important hope we have in Jesus’ second coming.
As Christians, we live in the hope of God’s promise which is eternal life in heaven, through Jesus Christ who was born into this world, crucified, died, was resurrected, and now lives and reigns with our Heavenly Father. As you prepare your heart and mind to celebrate and commemorate His birth in this Advent season, it is our hope that you will be richly blessed by these devotions, written by our Lutheran Indian Ministries staff just for you, and reflect, with hope and joy, on what is still to come.
Enjoy!
May God bless you always,
Tim Young Eagle (Pawnee)
Executive Director