This Sunday marks the beginning of the season of Advent. Advent is a season of watching and waiting. We are watchmen/women, longing for his return. We join the chorus of Israel and sing, "O Come, O Come Emmanuel," anticipating the birth of Jesus. And we stand on our tiptoes waiting for that day when the world will be made right.

This is a season when we celebrate:

1) The past: God's initiative toward the world in Christ (the upcoming season of Christmas);

2) The future: God's coming victory in Christ, the second coming when the world will be made right.

3) The present: A cross-shaped life of love for the world in the present time.

Over the next four weeks, we will stand as a people waiting on the God who makes all things new.