Missing Advent
I am writing this blog from Oklahoma, where we are spending time with our grandsons while their mom and dad are on a Tahiti vacation. It's quiet now, except for the drum practice happening in the next room and a dart gun war taking place in another. Guess what? I wouldn't have it any other way.
We traveled on Thanksgiving Day to avoid the holiday craziness. The flights weren't bad, except in Denver, where we had to turn around and go back to the gate to fix a missing panel. We spent so much time on the runway that they also needed to refuel. What's a holiday without a little excitement?
We took the boys to their church on Sunday, and it was a nice message on 2 Thessalonians, but I missed being home to start the Advent season. There were so many babies and toddlers in worship that it was hard to concentrate on the message, but it did my heart good knowing there is a new generation of Christians.
As a result of leaving on Thanksgiving, we missed Night of 1000 Candles. It is a long-held Hillspring tradition to kick off the Advent season. Our first experience with Night of 1000 Candles was in the 80’s when our kids were little, and now in the blink of an eye, our grandsons are 15 and 10. It's cliché, but the quote "the days are long, but the years are short" is so true.
The purpose of Advent is to prepare for the coming of Christ. Each of the four weeks before Christmas focuses on a different theme: hope, peace, joy, and love. Last Sunday, the candle of hope (first purple) was lit to remember that Jesus would come. This week is the candle of peace (second purple), representing the peace Jesus came to bring. The third week (pink candle) symbolizes the joy of anticipating Jesus' birth. This joy is different than happiness, as it is a deep, inner feeling rooted in the knowledge of God's presence and love, even in difficult circumstances. The fourth week (purple) signifies that God's love is the ultimate gift, sent to the world in the person of Jesus.
We leave Oklahoma on Friday and will be home by the time this blog is published. It is always bittersweet to leave, knowing I will not see my Oklahoma family for months, but I also have a family with my Hillspring community. The entire Hillspring community is like family to me, even if it is only for a few hours on Sunday. The ones with whom I share life are the staff and my small group. They are the ones who know everything about me, but more important than that, I know all about them. We share inside jokes and remember joyous and sad dates and are willing to hear the same story over and over again without interrupting, because we know it was a milestone in their life. Friends who are like family to navigate life and share the love of Jesus are a blessing and I am truly blessed.
During this Christmas season, I pray you experience in a new way God’s ultimate gift – Jesus!
Blessings,
Peggy Zumhofe
Executive Pastor
