This Sunday begins Advent, a season of preparation for the coming of Christ. It's a time to look back on how people in the centuries prior to Jesus' birth anticipated the coming of the promised Messiah. It's also a time to look forward to Christ's return and the fulfillment of God's promise to redeem the world. This week LinC looks at how to prepare our hearts and minds for Christ. Key Scriptures: Isaiah 9:1-7; Matthew 24:36-44; 25:1-13; Luke 4:14-30.
Do you have your Christmas shopping done? What gifts are you hoping to unwrap on Christmas morning? Too often focusing on exchanging gifts distracts us from celebrating the birth of Christ. But giving and receiving gifts is actually an important part of our faith. God has given each of us spiritual gifts and has called us to pass on these gifts to others. Next week, LinC reminds us of the Spirit of the season by looking at spiritual-gift giving.
