What do you think of when you hear the word “ADVENT?” Today is the first Sunday of Advent.  Advent is a period of four Sundays before Christmas.  Advent comes from the Latin word “adventus” which means “coming.”  The history of Advent dates back to the 4th century and has been observed by Christians worldwide ever since.  We celebrate the first coming of Jesus as a baby in Bethlehem.  We call it Christmas. 

Advent is one of my favorite times of the year.  It is a season of hope, joy, peace, love, and light, which are the traditional themes for Advent.

Sometimes, I get my priorities out of focus at this time of the year.  Too often I think of the number of shopping days left before Christmas and the number of gifts I need to
purchase.  What can I get that would be meaningful and lasting for someone?  Buying gifts is a challenge for me.  Then there are meals, cleaning up the house, and other
preparations for the festivities of the Season.

WDGW? Those initials stand for: WHAT DOES GOD WANT?  That is a more important question and focus for reflection this Advent season.  The Lord wants each of us to
spend eternity with Him.  The Bible says that He is “not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)  And, for the Christ-Follower,
Jesus makes it clear in Matthew 6:33 that we are to “seek first His Kingdom and His Righteousness.”

In addition, the Lord wants us to focus on LOVE.  He wants us to love Him with our total being and to love others as ourselves.  Scripture is filled with His desires for us.

This Advent season let us focus on the REASON for the SEASON: JESUS.  And, the REASON He came is for YOU and I.  Let us share the Good News with others.
Galen