advent (mops talk)

how many of you have had a great couple of weeks since we last met? i can say that i had one day that stood out to me as being a really great day. everything went well, it was great weather, i got everything on my list done and i got to thinking wouldn't it be great if every day was like today? but then i thought some more and decided that if everyday went so smoothly, then i wouldn't appreciate it. Christmas is like that for me. and until i realized what advent was all about, i didn't know how to fully appreciate it.

here's the power point presentation that went with my talk:

Advent

View more presentations from rufam.

i have a confession to make, for about 20 years, i didn't like Christmas. the memories of one Christmas while in my teens held back the joy i saw so many others experience. and even after i had kids, i felt i couldn't fully participate even in their joy. until. i changed my view of anticipating Christ's birth at Christmas to anticipating seeing Him in His fullness in heaven.

**we can only joyfully, expectantly look forward to Christ's return if you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.****
the way we do this is to

Acknowledge you are a sinner in need of a Savior
Believe in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ
Confess your sin and repent (turn from sin)

There is no greater gift. Please talk to me, or Beth, or Ruth or someone on the steering committee if you have questions or want to know more.

Merry Christmas!

discussion questions:
1.) is there anything else you'd like to discuss this morning?
2.) if you already celebrate advent, what one idea would you like to add?
3.) share some ways you keep the focus on Christ at Christmas.
4.) what is one Christmas tradition you've kept from your childhood? on you've started new with your children?
5.) share a prayer request if you feel comfortable doing so.