WHAT IS ADVENT?
Most people are familiar with Christmas Eve and Christmas Day celebrations but what about what happens before these two special days? In many western churches, this season is called, “Advent.” The length of the season can vary slightly year to year because the season of Advent includes the four Sundays leading up to Christmas Eve. Therefore, depending on which day of the week that Christmas Eve falls will then determine the four Sundays preceding it and the start of the Advent season.
Advent comes from the Latin word adventus which means “arrival.” So, Advent is the church season observing the eager anticipation of Jesus’ arrival in the world. It’s a season building up to the celebration of Jesus’ birth. On these four Sundays leading up to Christmas Eve, there are common themes that are often recognized: hope, peace, joy, and love. By observing these themes we look forward and anticipate the birth of Jesus, who comes to fulfill these things in the world as we long for Jesus to come and dwell among us again.
WHAT DOES THE ADVENT + Christmas Season 2023 LOOK LIKE AT MOUNTAIN PARK UMC?
The Advent season is often characterized by longing and waiting, but it is also a season full of wonder. Before the birth of Jesus, the Bible introduces us to characters who are learning how God makes the impossible possible, showing us that we can have joy, hope, wonder, and peace in the longing and waiting. Their stories help us see the fulfillment of God's promises and how that gives us hope in our own lives. Advent is an invitation to renew our sense of the wonder of the impossible and find hope, peace, and joy in the amazing love of God.
You can see the outline of our series below:
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1 - HOPE (Luke 1:5-23, NIV)
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8 - PEACE (Luke 1: 24-25, 57-64, NIV)
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15 - JOY (Luke 1:26-38, NIV)
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22
LOVE (Matthew 1:18-24, NIV) - 11AM Sunday Worship Service in the Sanctuary
JESUS (Luke 2:1-20, NIV) - 7:30PM Traveler’s Christmas Eve Service in the Family Life Center
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24 - Christmas Eve - JESUS (Luke 2:1-20, NIV)
5PM Family Christmas Eve Service w/ Candle-lighting in the Sanctuary
7PM Christmas Glow in the Park! (at J. B. Williams Park pavilion)
11PM Christmas Eve w/ Candle-lighting and Communion in the Sanctuary
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29 - Experience the Wonder (Luke 2:21-32, NIV)
JOIN US FOR WORSHIP!
We invite you to find ways to gather and worship with us this Advent and Christmas season to learn more about the wonder of the impossible and find hope, peace, and joy in the amazing love of God!
WHAT ELSE CAN I DO?
You can learn more and participate in our different community events, serving opportunities, and discipleship opportunities that will continue to help you put these learnings into practice.
The Season
of Epiphany
WHAT’S NEXT?
During the season of Epiphany, we continue to follow the narrative of Jesus’ birth, early life, and eventually his baptism and early ministry all working toward his saving work of reconciling the world to God.