Advent

Advent is a time to remember the true meaning of Christmas. Each candle in the advent wreath stands for one character of Christmas and of the Christmas story. For example Joy is one. In our family for advent we take one day a week for the four weeks leading up to Christmas day (Sunday is the day we chose) and we get together as a family to sing Christmas songs and read and hear a story of Christmas. We will light a candle and turn out the lights while we sing. Then one of the kids will blow out each candle that we have. We then pray and we are done with "Advent."

I really like Advent because it reminds us that Christmas is not about "Santa" or "toys" or any other thing, but it's about Jesus and how He came to earth to do the greatest thing of all. He showed love to the world the day He was born into this world. He took the form of a man and became a human for our sake. We did not deserve this wonderful gift, but He chose to give it to us. In that same way, love is a choice. Love is not forced onto anyone. We make a choice to love everyday and to celebrate Jesus and what He has done for us and in us and in the lives of so many. He has set us up, wiped the tears from our eyes and has given us a new life. This Christmas season I will rejoice and be thankful for all that He has done and I will love Him more! God is Love, so without Him I would not grow in my love for the lost and the people who need Him above all things!

The true meaning of Christmas is Christ coming to earth, showing love when we didn't deserve it at all! I encourage you to thank God for everything He's given you, even the very breath you breathe is HIS! Christ is the center of my world! I pray He is the center of your world! What are you choosing to do different this Christmas and how will you do that?