Advent 2008
The word means arrival.
In the traditional Church calendar, "Advent" is a time for celebrating the coming of Jesus: both remembering his birth and anticipating his future arrival, the restoration of all things.
From the beginning, this has been a story of unexpected contrast. Supreme Peace born under the rule of Roman brutality. Ultimate Love wrapped up in the crude, human cage of an infant’s ribs. Joy enough to carry all of life, small enough to be carried in the crook of an arm. Hope born into a struggling, battling world—into a barn. For all of us.
This year we're celebrating Advent in a number of ways: through weekly Advent services at Mars Hill, daily Bible readings, and an artists' blog.
The Services
We'll be leading four weeks of Sunday night experiences at Mars Hill to help people more intentionally enter the Advent season. These brief liturgical gatherings will each be based around a central theme of Advent and will incorporate a short teaching as well as corporate and individual prayer.
Hope – Sunday, November 30 at 6pm
Peace – Sunday, December 7 at 6pm
Joy – Sunday, December 14 at 6pm
Love – Sunday, December 21 at 6pm
The Readings
Daily biblical readings are common during Advent, as a way of intentionally connecting with and being mindful of the season. Our reading schedule begins on November 30 and continues through December 24.
The Blog
Various artists and writers from our community are contributing personal reflections and creations for a blog which is being updated each weekday, featuring four themed Advent weeks. [Visit the blog]