Dear New McKendree Church Family,

A Letter from Paige Turner, Director of Family Ministries

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year! With the kids jingle belling, and everyone telling you be of good cheer. It’s the happiest season of all!” - so the song goes. While I wholeheartedly believe this to be true, it’s also usually the busiest, most stressful, and maybe most overwhelming time of the year. From November to January, our calendars can quickly fill up while our bank accounts dwindle down.  

So then, as Christians, how can we approach this time of year to minimize the hurry, the burnout, and the stress while still capturing the awe of the season and keeping our focus on the Savior? A simple answer is to commit to less. Say no to invitations or obligations that create unnecessary stress. While that is definitely a good start, I actually think it’s not the most realistic or even the best way. The truth is, many of us love the traditions and activities that come with this season, and we prepare ourselves to be a little busier. I believe the best and truest answer to the question above is found in the practice of Advent. But what exactly is Advent?

The word “advent” means arrival or coming. For Christians, Advent is a time of preparation and anticipation for the birth of Jesus Christ, and is observed over the four Sundays before Christmas. Advent is more than just a countdown. It represents both the coming of Christ at His birth and the anticipation of His second coming. It embraces the way of Jesus and encourages hopeful waiting, courageous peace-making, resilient joy, and self-giving love in our still-suffering world. Each week traditionally focuses on those key themes—hope, peace, joy, and love—to invite reflection, prayer, and expectant celebration. 

Practicing Advent should not be one more thing to add to your long holiday to-do list. It should be the thing from which all other activities flow. When we reframe the time we spend with family and friends, and when we invite Jesus into our everyday moments and holiday traditions, we begin to see the things that fill our calendars as gifts from the Father. These activities become a way to both experience and share the hope, peace, joy, and love that Jesus provides. 

This year, I challenge you to find an Advent devotional in whichever way works best for you. You’ll find plenty of offerings within our own church, through weekly Bible study groups and our Sunday morning Discipleship Hour classes. You can grab one of the Advent devotional and activity bags we have put together for families, or follow along with us on Facebook as we share resources throughout the four weeks. Finally, if none of those work, open up the Bible app on your phone and search for Advent plans.  

In closing, I want to leave you with a prayer to repeat each morning of Advent:

Lord, during a time when I feel there is so much to do, help quiet my mind and seek quiet spaces throughout the day to hear Your voice. Prepare my heart to not only celebrate Your birth but also to welcome Your second coming. May I feel Your presence in my hopeful anticipation. Give me an internal peace, and fill me with a joy and love that overflows into my interactions with others. Thank You for the greatest gift - my Lord and Savior. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Happy Advent and Merry Christmas