Children’s Message, Advent—Week one, Sunday, November 27, 2005

Well, its my favorite time of year again—advent!

Advent? Don’t you mean Christmas? Actually, I don’t. I mean advent. I like the time of waiting. . .of preparation. I like the build up. When I have an ice cream cone, I take little—lasts longer than if you take big bites. And I think that is why I like advent. There are lots of little treats over the next few weeks to savor and enjoy. I bet many of you have family parties, parties at school, parties in your neighborhoods. There are special holiday movies to enjoy and CDs to listen to. Trees to decorate and presents to wrap. Lots of fun stuff that is going to happen before the big day.

Well, let me tell you, there is lots of fun and special stuff going on here at church too.
§ On Saturday, we are going to spend time together here at church talking about the book, The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, complete with a British style dinner and different fun workshops to try.
§ Next Sunday, there is the alternative Christmas market. There are special adult ed. Classes for the grown-ups.
§ In two weeks, we will have the Advent Festival where we can take time from the busyness of the season to come together and have dinner, activities and prayers and carols to help us focus ourselves for the holidays.

So even if you’re the type of person who likes to eat their ice cream in big bites, I would encourage you to savor the next few weeks. Take time to remember the wonder of the story of Jesus birth as though you were hearing it for the first time, and enjoy each little morsel!

Let’s pray:
Loving God
Be with us this advent
In our preparations and rest
In our busyness and quiet times
As we await the Christ child. Amen.