Formed from a latin word meaning "coming" or "arrival" Advent is the traditional celebration of the first advent of Jesus in humility and the anxious awaiting of His second advent in glory. It's a seaon of remembering and rejoicing, watching and waiting. The whole point of Advent is to spend severeal weeks -- four weeks, to be exact -- preparing for Christmas instead of celebrating Christmas. It's about stepping into the shoes of the Israelites, longing and crying out for the Messiah to come. It's about reflecting on our sin and shortcomings and need for a Savior. It's about looking around at our broken world and hoping for the second coming of Jesus. And, once we get to Christmas Day, the celebration of Jesus' birth becomes that much more spectacular.

(Excerpt from Advent Family Devotional by Matt and Lauren Chandler)

This advent guide uses the same curriculum used in our Sunday morning Christian Education class for kids, "The Biggest Story Bible Storybook" by Kevin DeYoung. Using the provided Christmas Countdown, uncover the "Jesus is..." connection for each of the twenty-five days leading up to Christmas (see example below).

Pick up your copy of the Scratch Off Christmas Connection to use at home.

Beginning December 1st, check our website every day for each day's Scripture reading and video to help you reflect on the meaning of Christmas: the coming of Christ.