Lakeside Community Presbyterian Church

Every December, I look forward to preparing for the celebration of Christmas. Sure, there is the pressure to set-up Christmas decorations at home, the purchasing of presents, and getting ready for holiday parties, but once things are prepared, I look forward to preparing for why we do all that we do for Christmas and that is celebrating Christ’s birth.

In the Christian church we call this season Advent and the celebration of Christ’s first arrival to the world through His birth. Advent (which has its root meaning from the Latin word adventus which means “coming”) also anticipates Christ’s second arrival to the world and our need to prepare for His second coming and the fulfillment of God’s Kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven.

One of the ways that I prepare for Advent each year is by subscribing to the daily devotional from Biola University’s Center for Christianity Culture and the Arts (Here is the link to the CCCA Advent Project devotionals to subscribe and have it delivered to your in box: (https://ccca.biola.edu/advent/2024) These devotionals, (which include a scripture reading, poetry, art, and music) are one way that we can prepare for Christ’s first and second coming. Let me invite you to make this devotional a part of your Advent preparations.

Have a great rest of your week and I will see you on Sunday.

“O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good,
    for His steadfast love endures forever.”

Psalm 107:1

Let me wish you an early “Happy Thanksgiving” as many of us prepare to travel to be with family.

If you want, as you gather to eat, drink and give thanks, may this prayer be a way you give thanks back to God, the provider of all good things:

God of many blessings,

We give thanks for the friends and family

that surround us today,

And for the food that is before us.

We give You praise for our blessings.

In Your name we pray. Amen!