Welcome

The holiday season is upon us. Christmas trees and twinkling lights line the streets, and holiday themed food items line the shelves at every grocery store. As the world around us dives head first into the season of lights and festive music, the church proclaims a different season. A liturgical season. A season of watching, waiting, reflection, and preparation.
We know it’s hard to wait for the favorite, familiar hymns of Christmastide, as Hal Drumheller reflects on here:

Growing up, nothing took as long as Christmas. Only two things seemed to speed Christmas up: the lighting of the Advent Candles – when will we ever light that white one? – and singing Christmas songs. I never missed an Advent Sunday growing up. I just loved singing the classic Christmas songs. Being named Harold, I smiled when singing “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing.” I loved the different rhythms of “We, Three Kings.” I can’t sing a full octave so “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” was one I could croak out without my voice cracking.

We do hope that the devotions offered within these pages, inspired by the scriptural Canticles/Songs assigned for Sunday worship, the music of the Advent season, with a few familiar Christmas tunes as well, might make this season of waiting more meaningful.  And, to help with the waiting, on two Wednesdays you will find a coloring page inspired by a Christmas hymn.  Just as you might carefully prepare your home to welcome family and friends, may this season give you time and space to make room for God’s impending incarnation among us.
To God be the Glory!

Special thanks go to all the contributing writers, and to the team of John Page, Lynn Voss, Lisa Ward, and Jennifer Pierce, who faithfully helped to produce this devotional.