In most Christian traditions, Advent is a four-week season of celebration and observation prior to Christmas, each week often focusing on a particular biblical theme. These are some themes commonly explored during Advent.
Week 1: Hope
Week 2: Peace
Week 3: Joy
Week 4: Love
For the next four weeks up until Christmas Day I will address each topic during that particular week. As you can see the first week of December will address Hope.
Christmas is a very special time of year for all those who celebrate it. There are many traditions, some bible-based, others purely personal & family oriented. It is a season that is meant to bring all the themes listed up above out in those who celebrate the season.
Advent itself has, down thru the ages celebrated the arrival of the divine child; God in human form. The anticipation of His arrival becomes electric as the day approaches. His arrival had come at its prescribed time, and the world was better for it. Those who dismiss His arrival as a children’s fairytale are missing out regarding something that is outside themselves and is waiting to bless them.
The four topics from up above are attainable in the real world, yet they are not the lasting versions of them. Hope, peace, joy, & love can be had outside of knowing God, but they are of the temporal variety, and not eternal, as they are from knowing God.
The spiritual realm exists in part to enhance our experience knowing God. The hope, peace, joy, & love that exists as it radiates from Almighty God is eternal in nature and attainable by merely asking. God is the embodiment of these four traits that place our lives on a path to supreme and everlasting peace, contentment, and fulfillment. These things are attainable only thru God and no one or nothing else. So enjoy the next four weeks of Advent as I attempt to educate, encourage, & edify you all. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.
In His Name & for His Glory,
RL Keller
Bread of Life Ministries
