Advent Devotional: The Christmas Code

The church is providing Advent devotionals to church family and friends to help us more fully experience God’s presence during the season of Advent. Please take a copy for yourself and a friend from the sanctuary or in the hallway. Below is a description: For centuries Christians all over the world have celebrated the Advent season leading up to Christmas. Advent means “arrival, appearing, coming” and anticipates the coming of Christ to Bethlehem’s stable. In the midst of all the busyness of this season, the celebration, the shopping, the lights, the decorations, the parties, and all the other tinsel, trappings, and trimmings, Advent offers a time for spiritual preparation. It provides a time of reflecting on the true joy, peace, hope, and love that the coming of the Christ child makes possible for each and every one of us. The Christmas Code embodies a devotional journey throughout the days of December up until Christmas Day. Each reading includes a scripture verse, a devotional thought, a Code Word, and a prayer. The Code Words serve to help unlock the blessings of each reading. Write them down; keep them with you to ponder throughout the day. And make the daily prayer a part of your own walk with Christ by repeating it often. Use this little book as a time to look backward with earnest appreciation at Christ’s first coming…and to look forward with eager anticipation to His Second Advent, His glorious appearing. Make the words to this centuries-old carol your own prayer this Christmas Season: O come, O come Emmanuel And ransom captive Israel That mourns in lowly exile here Until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.