Advent: Comfort or Challenge?
December rushes toward Christmas. For those that profess Christian faith we are supposed to be waiting, anticipating, a kind of mosey toward Bethlehem as the pageant changes scene by scene from annunciation, to angelic choir to dusty shepherds, to pondering. The visitors from the East and escape to Egypt are New Year events. I’ve been pondering this year the question: “Is Advent supposed to comfort or challenge?” I’m also pondering how I’m practicing Advent or better, “What does it look like to practice Advent?”
First Christian Church in Hennessey has this on their website. It helps me with my questions to ponder.
If your journey with Christ has left you with questions or doubts, we cannot promise you the answers you seek. If your journey through life has dealt you pain and heartbreak, we cannot promise to take away your pain. We CAN promise to walk with you, side by side, through all of life’s struggles, lifting you up in prayer and love.
Through faith, hope, and trust in our Lord Jesus Christ, as children of God, we promise to share in your sorrow as well as your great joy that comes through a deep relationship with God.