OC Bereans

The Advent season is observed by Christians world-wide as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus the Messiah. The term is an anglicized version of the Latin word adventus, meaning “coming.” What better time to build disciples than the Christmas season, especially in our families?

A key word in that definition of Advent is preparation. A corollary is intentionality. It takes preparation, careful thought, planning, creativity and intentionality to lead our families in the path of following Jesus, the Christ-child.

I was recently dismayed to learn of a nearby church advertising their Christmas Eve services with the following, attention-grabbing bullet points:

• experience live animals in our nativity scene
• capture the moment in our photo booth
• enjoy cookies & hot chocolate
• hop on board the Christmas train
• test your skills at the “snowball” toss
• dash through the water in a giant bubble roller

Wow! … really?! … This all sounds more like a carnival at the county fair, than ways to prepare to meet Immanuel.  Is this what it takes in our culture to prepare our families to receive“God with us”?

To aid our preparation to intentionally build disciples within our families, here are some suggested resources to explore. Click on the corresponding links.

• Saddleback Church has created an Advent App for smartphones … it’s not too late to use this handy resource.

• Good News of Great Joy are Advent readings written by John Piper.

• Max Lucado has prepared a powerful one-minute video, God is Near, definitely worth watching.

• Local author, Alan Fadling, suggests 10 Ways to Have an Unhurried Christmas Season.

• Bill Gaultiere, from Soul Shepherding, created a Christmas Devotional Experience.

• One year ago, I created a Family Christmas tool for a local church, complete with Carols, that can be used to lead a family in worship at Christmas.

• Finally, enjoy and pass along this video of a Christmas Flash Mob by Journey of Faith Church at the South Bay Galleria!

“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father,

full of grace and truth.”  John 1:14

Shalom!

~ tr