First Baptist Church of Herndon

My advent

Linda Soller | Dec 02, 2013

I went online and plugged in the word “advent” and here is what I got – “the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event.” I don’t remember hearing the word used all that much as a child, but it now plays heavily in the season leading up to Christmas. Pastor Sean noted one Sunday that the advent season is preparing us for a beginning and also an end. The word advent when connected to Christmas helps us prepare for the amazing birth of Jesus, the beginning of the world where Jesus walked and talked among men and women, and eventually the beginning of the world that knew his sacrifice for mankind.

This year I had my own personal advent, a significant birthday that fell on the first Sunday of the Christmas advent season. I considered it to be a notable event, not the arrival of a notable person, just to be very clear!  I understand the whole beginning and end connection. When you have a birthday it represents the beginning of a new year of your life, but it also marks the end of the past year. It may usher in the beginning of adulthood and the end of childhood, or the beginning of retirement and the end of all those years of work. A birthday can be a pretty big deal. Some people prefer not to celebrate birthdays, or maybe they just don’t want to recognize how many they’ve had. I’ve always enjoyed birthdays and I’ve had my fair share. My focus has always been on the beginning of my new year and less on the year(s) left behind. I can remember not liking my 20^th birthday because I was no longer a teenager. It seemed more significant to me than turning 21. I can remember turning 30 and thinking, now I’m really a grown up. It could have had something to do with the fact that I was expecting my first child. And this year my children pointed out that I had reached a significant birthday. After a bit of thought I have to agree with them, but I am not sure we agree on the reasons why it is significant. The fact that it is a pretty good excuse for a party has something to do with their interest in my birthday. For me the significance lies in the beginning of a new year and a new decade of my life where I can imagine all sorts of opportunities.

Advent counts down the days until Christmas and with each Sunday we celebrate as we light the candles of Hope, Love, Joy, Peace and then the Christ candle.  They glow during the services encircled by the eternity wreath. It is a lovely tradition that draws our attention to the real meaning of Christmas. My birthday advent is was not as formal, with a different type of candle, but there was still a wonderful glow. The eternity wreath was replaced by the opportunity to be surrounded by friends and family. Everyone was smiling, some because they were glad not to be as old as me. I was asked if I had a plan to do something extra special. My answer was I already am. I got to wake up on my birthday and go to my church, a place I love. I got lots of hugs from people I love. I was able to share lots of laughter. I got to sing which I love, and relax which I love even more. I got to look forward to the next day and all the days after that, however many that might be. If you truly want to make life a celebration just think of each day as the advent of the arrival of a notable event, an event you can create. There is a point when each day you are given in this life becomes special. Why not let today be that day for you?

Sixty if you must know! Have a great week. :o)                  

Linda