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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1999-12-01, Page 25From the Minister’s Study Advent season, THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1999. PAGE 25. beginning of a new year By I >es Cook Blyth Community Church of God Happy New Year? ... Yes Happy New’ Year! That's what the Advent season is. It's the beginning of the new year for the Christian Church, the beginning of our spiritual journey. It is at this time of year that we enter into the anticipation of Israel, the people of God before Christ, the longing for a closer relationship with the God of creation, shared by Abraham, Moses, David, and all of the prophets. All of what we long for, all of what was prophesied and all that is necessary to bridge the gap between mankind and God is fulfilled in the Messiah, and so we can celebrate what that means to us and the rest of the world. Not only do we celebrate the coming of the Messiah at Bethlehem, but the coming of the Christ at the end of this age as well. This is a time to celebrate and admire the established church of Christ here on earth, God’s Kingdom. So the traditions around the advent season are centered around a double theme of his coming. It is also a wonderful time to consider the reasons of his coming. We can celebrate the fact that God became one of us to restore his creation to its original condition. In the Old Testament, God’s people believed in a future time when He would make it possible for them to have a personal relationship with God. Today we know that relationship is possible because of the example of Jesus Christ. We can see that his life and death fulfilled all the requirements of the law clearing “the way” for us to stand in the presence of God. The Advent season is truly a time to meditate on the Salvation brought to the whole world through Christ our saviour when he was bom, according to the prophets, in Bethlehem. Advent is a time of preparing for the coming of Christ- God within us. So in the midst of all the joy we must also have an attitude of repentance. Like house cleaning our homes for special company we need to renew our mind and spirit. All of the advent season, all of its readings and all of its prayers are designed to lead us closer to Christ and to what He means to us personally and to our spiritual walk. This is the time of year to focus on what is happening between God and ourselves spiritually. It is also the time of year when Christians are most likely to be distracted by what others are doing around them. My prayer for us is that during this Advent season every Christmas symbol we see will remind us of the special gift, the divine attitude and the new beginning that is possible through Christ. I pray that God will birth within us an expectation of His presence and power in our lives, and in the life of the world. The Advent season is divided into five weeks. The first week focuses on intently watching for the second coming of Christ. Week two we prepare for both comings of Christ. Week three we determine through scripture and genealogy that it is time to prepare for a new way. The fourth week from Dec. 17 to Dec. 23 we celebrate the announcement of his coming. And Dec. 24 his arrival. This Christmas season whether giving a gift or lighting a candle, preparing a meal or sitting down to one, whatever tradition, decoration, song or celebration we take part in let’s allow it to stir our hearts to the excitement of a new beginning with a new power for a wonderful new walk with the one who created us. God bless! Happy New Year! and Merry Christmas! You Can Make Difference HUNTINGTON DISEASE HUNTINGTON SOCIETY OF CANADA 1-800-998-7398 Hoping to win There were opportunities to buy and opportunities to win at St. Ambrose annual Christmas Bazaar on Saturday. Melissa Boyle was intent on the task of filling out a ballot, while others shopped or enjoyed refreshments. (Ashley Gropp photo) THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA ybu are welcome this Sunday DECEMBER 5 - ADVENT 2 HOLY EUCHARIEST Trinity, Blyth St.John's, 9:30 a.m. Brussels Wheelchair accessible 11:15 a.m. Rev. Nancy Beale - Rector - 887-9273 MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS 11:00 a.m. - Morning Service - Sunday School 9:30 a.m. - Belgrave Service Wheelchair accessible Nursery care available We welcome you to come and worship with us. Rev. Cathrine Campbell - 887-9831 Cornerstone Bible yn _ "E _ _ • Ethel Communion - 9:45 - 10:30 Family Bible Hour and Sunday School 11:00 - 12:00 Prayer & Bible Study Tuesday 8 p.m. John 14:6 - Jesus said, "I am the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE, no one comes to the Father, but through Me." Everyone Welcome For more information call 887-6665 you are Welcome at the BLYTH COMMUNITY CHURCH OF GOD 9:45 a.m. - Sunday School for Children and Adults 11:00 a.m. - Morning Worship Bible Studies - Wednesday 10 a.m. & 7:30zp.m. Phone 523-4590 McConnell St., Blyth /oifi ua t/Ua Sunday Morning Worship Service - 10 a.m. Evening Worship Service - 7:30 p.m. "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" - which means "God with us." Matthew 1:23 BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH A Rev. Adrian A. Van Geest Hwy. 4, Blyth 523-9233 Wheelchair accessible Blyth United Church Come Worship The Lord With Us Sundays - 11:00 a.m. Worship Service & Sunday School DECEMBER 5 White Gift Sunday Sunday School Concert at 11:00 a.m. Minister ~ Rev. Ernest Dow ALL ARE WELCOME 523-4224 HURON CHAPEL EVANGELICAL MISSIONARY CHURCH Auburn - 526-7555 PASTOR DAVE WOOD - 523-9017 ASSOCIATE PASTOR - YOUTH - JEREMY SHUART 523-9788 Sunday Wednesday Friday 8:45 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 11 a.m. 8 p.m. 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. - Morning Worship Service - Family Bible Hour - Morning Worship Service - Evening Service - Family Night (Kids' Club) - Youth BRUSSELS - ETHEL PASTORAL CHARGE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA Guest Speaker - Mrs. Joan Golden Church Office 887-6259 E-mail: bepc@wcl.on.ca December 5,1999 9:30 a.m. - Ethel Worship Service 11:00 a.m. - Brussels Worship Service Upcoming Events: UCW Annual Christmas Potluck Dinner - Wed., Dec. 1st at 6:30 p.m. Everyone Welcome UCW Afternoon Unit - Tues., Dec. 7th at 2 p.m. Both Brussels and Ethel's White Gift Services will be held on Sunday, Dec. 12th at 11 a.m. jfhuAaeta Mennanite £Muv.&liip invites you to Worship each Sunday during Advent Worship Service 9:30 a.m. Christian Education 10:45 a.m. Pastor Ben Wiebe 887-6388 Everyone Welcome! Let every heart prepare for Christ's coming