Advent Season

Advent is here! I used to roll my eyes when my dad started talking about advent every year...but now, it has changed (as so many things have).

My church does advent which I truly appreciate. The kids are involved and they are the ones that light the candles. You never realize how much you like something until it's gone. We went to church with some friends last week as were in Seattle. I loved their church, especially their pastor. he clearly had a heart for the Lord, he was passionate and real. But there was something missing...the 2nd sunday of advent!!

Last year in hopes that I would be full of the advent spirit, I purchased a book called: A Simply Wonderful Christmas- A Literary Advent Calendar. I of course just found it while cleaning today...December 11th...but never fear, I shall plunge on ahead and just catch up a bit. Tonight's rendition: The Spirit of Christmas.
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I went to the George Fox Christmas concert tonight. I think it might have been one of the best preparations for this season. I went into it not expecting too much...but I can honestly say that the reason for the season was apparent and I found myself tearfully joyful: Good christian men rejoice, with heart and soul and voice! Give ye heed of what we say! News! News! Jesus Christ is born today!

This years theme was: All is calm, all is bright!

The last song that they sang started with a single bagpipe walking from the back, then the choir started in and the band and orchestra. At the end the bagpipe and snare drum join in. I have never heard such beautiful sounds before...honestly I think it was a glimpse of what heaven will sound like. I closed my eyes and wondered, is this what the angels sounded like when that babe was born? The hope of all mankind came to the earth and the angels REJOICED!