Stomping the Head of the Serpent

Stomping the Head of the Serpent!

It is time to prepare for, anticipate, celebrate, and proclaim the coming of our Savior - Jesus Christ!

After this past Sunday's sermon, I have had people already report new traditions based on this season of Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany!  Some are serving more, some are feasting more, and some are taking advantage of untapped opportunities that have always been available.

Please tell me how you and your family are celebrating through new traditions of Christ-focused worship!  Below is a reminder of the Christian church calendar (for more details, see the book by Bobby Gross, "Living the Christian Year").

The Cycle of Light - God making himself known

1)  Advent - We anticipate a "great light"

Isaiah 9:2:  "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone."

While the culture mounts its consuming frenzy, we wait quietly for the coming of the Christ.

2)  Christmas - Celebrate the True Light

John 1:0:  "true light... coming into the world"

John 1:14:  "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us"

Most of the church in the world and throughout history has celebrated 12 days of Christmas!

3)  Epiphany - Proclaim the Light  (Epiphany means "a manifestation")

John 8:12:  "Light of the World"

January 6th - Feast of Epiphany

The Cycle of Life - God rescues us from death through Jesus

Mark 10:45:  "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as  ransom for many."

1)  Lent - 40 days (not counting Sundays) leading up to Easter

Humility and self-examination

2)  Passover - 1 Corinthians 5:7:  "For Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed."

This Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are the heart of the Christian year!

3)  Easter - Kicks off 50 days of Easter, ending at Pentecost - not just one day!

The Cycle of Love

1)  Pentecost and Ordinary Time

Non-festival time but not "ordinary" time; because of this we have Spirit-filled life!

Ends with Christ the King the Sunday just before Advent.

God's Grand Narrative includes us; include the celebration of this great story in your life!

-David