Advent.

It’s the season of Advent.  The season of waiting … and waiting … and waiting for that blessed Christmas morning.  Advent means our sanctuary is filled with blue [blue is the color of Advent] and many of us may use an Advent calendar to wait … and wait … and wait until Christmas.

At Red Oak Grove, we’re waiting for Christmas in some new ways this year.  We worship every Wednesday in Advent with a beautiful service called Holden Evening Prayer.  [Coffee and treats at 6:30.  Worship at 7.  You should come!]  It’s a service of singing that includes Mary’s song from scripture.

My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.  Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.

For this season, we also held an ADVENTure following Sunday School a couple weeks ago.  We made Advent calendars, painted ornaments, made Christmas cards for members of ROG, and rolled lefse.  It was a great start to a season that asks us to prepare for Christmas – to prepare for the birth of Jesus.

And now this Sunday – the 16th – we will prepare for the birth of Jesus by hearing the story told once more, this time through the songs and costumes and voices of our Sunday School youth.  It’s Christmas program time!  Join us at 9am on Sunday to hear the gospel message proclaimed through sheep and donkeys and bugs and birds!