Happy new year! The beginning of the christian liturgical year started this week with the beginning of advent. Sunday November 29Th was the first Sunday of advent, the candle we lite at church symbolizes HOPE.



A couple of years ago I did a bit of research into the seasons of the church year. I really never paid much attention to these things as I grew up, this is just the way things are. As children we accept these things, and as we grow we question them, why not? I feel it is our duty and our job to question. I believe it is how I learn things, ask a question and then go and find the answer. How else are we suppose to find the answer to the things that we believe, we need to search them out, and in the process we learn. So here I learned that advent is the beginning of the church year, we will spend the first 6 months of the year learning and the last 6 months we spend practicing (all the while we are suppose to practice of course).



Looking up the definition of advent I found it says:

1. A time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of Christmas.


2. Marks the beginning of the church liturgical year.

Latin adventus is the translation of the Greek word parousia, commonly used in reference to the second coming of Christ. As Christians we believe that the season of advent serves as a reminder both of the original waiting that was done by the Hebrews for Christ as well as our waiting for Christs return. (info from wikipedia)

So here we begin our journey of the new year with HOPE! What an awesome way to begin anything new.

HOPE:

1. The feeling that what is wanted can be had, or that events will turn out for the best.


2. A person or thing in which expectations are centered.


3. To look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence.


4. To believe, desire, trust.


5. To place trust; rely.

(info from wikipedia)

First of all I would like to keep in mind this year, with all the neat and wonderful craziness of Christmas, that this season is not only about what has happened, but it is about what will happen. We are waiting on our Lord to come again! I forget with all this Christmas that we are also hoping on our Christ to return. This year I really feel excited as we are going on a holiday around this time and I am so excited that I don't think my children have anything on me for being excited. Pretty soon I am going to feel like my insides are going to burst out and get everything all slimy and gross but I won't care because I am so excited and the anticipation of the trip we are going to take is .... is like.... overwhelming in a kid like way that it brings back memories of the feeling that I am describing. Do you remember when you felt like you could just burst, if you were to scream out as loud as possible it still would not release the excitement inside of you. Like shaking up a soda pop bottle and then waiting for someone to open the top. (hummmmm the memories) I am so starting to feel like the soda bottle!

Anticipation in what we are waiting for, expectant waiting. Hope, that what we are waiting for CAN be had! We hope in the Lord, we rely on Him, we place our trust, we believe, we look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence. I am seeing this years beginning with a new eye and a new heart. I will look forward to Christmas with a new perspective as I will try to remember that this beginning is not only about remembering what has happened with the birth of Gods' only son, Jesus Christ, but that we are waiting with HOPE for his return.

So, happy new year! This week I wish for you HOPE!

Nicole