Advent is upon us and at Peoples Church we are excited to celebrate Jesus in our upcoming sermon series – “The Promised Saviour.”

What is Advent?

You will likely know this time of year as Christmas or even the Holiday Season. A time when we put up the Christmas tree, decorate our homes, plan the exciting gifts we are going to give one another, and some of us even go caroling. So, what do I mean when I say, “Advent is upon us?”

Advent comes from the Latin word adventus which translates as coming or arrival. Therefore, advent is a time of anticipation and expectation that someone or something is about to arrive. It is a time to reflect on what has been and ponder on what will be. In church history, there is mention to advent in the 4th century, but it was not till the 6th century that Christians commonly celebrated advent in the weeks running up to Christmas Day.

How is Advent celebrated?

Christians over the centuries have used advent as a time to reflect upon the many biblical prophecies that point to the birth of Jesus, His ministry, and the finished work on the cross culminating in His triumphant resurrection.

Traditionally, Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas Day. Each Sunday has a specific reflection to consider, often shown through an advent wreath with candles marking each week. The reflections generally follow:

• 1^st Sunday – Hope (Isaiah 9:6-7)
• 2^nd Sunday – Peace (Luke 2:8-14)
• 3^rd Sunday – Joy (Luke 2:15-20)
• 4^th Sunday – Love (Matthew 1:18-25)

How is Peoples Church celebrating Advent?

Having recently concluded our sermon series in the letter of Colossians, we begin a new series on the 30^th of November (the first Sunday of Advent) called “The Promised Saviour.” It is our intention to reflect on how the Scriptures foretold the coming of Jesus and how we might be transformed through God’s redemption plan.

• 30^th November – The promise of a Saviour (Isaiah 9:2-7)
• 7^th December – Anticipating the Promised Saviour (Luke 1:26-38)
• 14^th December – The Birth of the Promised Saviour (Luke 2:1-7)
• 21^st December – Reflecting on the Promised Saviour (John 1:1-14)
• 28^th December - Conquering Life through the Promised Saviour (Romans 8:31-39)

So, get the Christmas carols playing, decorate that tree, but most importantly reflect this advent season on the coming of the promised Saviour. Join us each Sunday as we search the Scriptures and see how Jesus changed everything!

Pastor Ross Ferguson