One definition of the word Advent is “the coming or arrival, especially of something extremely important.”  God becoming a human being merits such a description.  “…and they will call him ‘Immanuel’ which means ‘God with us.’” (Matthew 1:23)  In the old naming of epochs, the coming of the Messiah, the Christ, became the holy pivot between two halves… B.C. – Before Christ and A.D.- In the years of the Lord, after his arrival.  What the prophets had foretold and the mind of God had been intending since the beginning climaxed in the birth of Jesus Christ two millennia ago.

Such a moment in human history demands reflection and veneration.  The four weeks of the Season of Advent before Christmas Day have become such a time for us.  The passing of these days remind of the themes of light into darkness, the preparation of John the Baptist – the voice crying in the wilderness, the willingness of a poor teenager to become the mother of God, and the mystery of the heart of the God of Creation who, “in the fullness of time” (Galatians 4:4) gave us Jesus as the first Christmas gift.

Join us at Laurel this Advent as we light the candles of the Advent wreath, discuss the Scriptures that speak of the divine arrival, and sing the words of the faithful who sought the Lord to make good on the promise made so long ago… “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us… and he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)