What is Advent?
The word advent means “coming” or “arrival.” In the Christian tradition, Advent is the first season of the Christian calendar and is marked by hopeful waiting for the coming of the Messiah. During early Christian history, the celebration of the first coming of Jesus was a season joined with preparation, especially for new believers as they were coming into the faith for baptism. On Christmas day, these new converts would receive the sacrament of baptism in accordance with the arrival of Jesus into the world to make all things new.
Today, Advent represents the location of the Church within these “last days” as we await the second coming of Jesus into the world. The church, like Israel before her, is in exile, awaiting the coming of the Messiah, who will free us ultimately and finally. In Advent, we look back in celebration upon Christ’s coming while at the same time looking forward in eager expectation of the coming of Christ’s kingdom when he returns for his people. Therefore, during Advent, we practice active, hopeful, and prayerful waiting. Additionally, Christian waiting is not lazy. Because we know God to be faithful, we join him in his work of making all things new and celebrate the victory of our King Jesus.
Five Golden Things Podcast
- Advent Week 1 (Clara & Jim): Clara and Jim talk TOP 5 Angehr Christmas Traditions That Clara Finds Weird. Get it here!
Bread and Circus Blog
- Advent Week 1: Jim talks about "time"...check it out here!
Sunday, December 1 – First Sunday of Advent
Sunday, December 8 – Second Sunday of Advent
Sunday, December 15 – Third Sunday of Advent
Sunday, December 22 – Fourth Sunday of Advent
Tuesday, December 24 – Church on Christmas Eve (7:00 pm)
As our congregation "prepares him room" this December, we're encouraging our folks to work through weekly devotionals as a spiritual help. Since Advent is the beginning of the annual liturgical calendar for the church, this is a great time to set some new rhythms for spiritual practices in the home, both as individuals and families.
This year at Liberti Collingswood, we’ve purchased stacks of both a devotional for grown ups and also one for families. For the former, we’ve selected Everyday Gospel Christmas Devotional by Paul Tripp, for the kiddos and families we’ve gone with Tracing Glory: The Christmas Story through the Bible by Sarah Rice. You can grab one of both of these resources on a Sunday morning at Liberti Collingswood.
Every year at Liberti Collingswood, we hold a giving campaign during the Advent season that we call 'For Others'––because that's what it's about! If Jesus is the gift of the Father to others, namely to us, let's take the opportunity in a deeper way not to be for ourselves but rather for those around us.
We’re doing a full circle for this year’s ‘For Others’ project by giving again to an organization that piloted our December donation campaigns way back in 2016, namely the Collingswood Food Pantry! Originally housed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church here in town, the Food Pantry moved at the beginning of the year to Collingswood First Methodist Church, where they do a monthly food distribution to needy families. In 2016, Liberti Collingswood raised the funds for an industrial refrigerator and freezer, and it’s still going strong there. This year, we’re aiming to raise $7,000 total for the Food Pantry, $3,500 of which will pay for a much needed update of the electrical system for storage rooms, and $3,500 will be allocated to building up the general food supply.
As always, our 'For Others' Christmas Campaign will run through the Christmas season, which concludes on Sunday, 1/5. You can donate by sending designated cash or designated check to the church (“‘For Others’ Christmas Campaign”) or by giving online right now!
- YoungLives Christmas Toy Drive (ends 12/1)
- Refugee Grocery Store (12/8)
- Foster the Family Advent Toy Drive (ends 12/15)