ST. GEORGE — For the “From Figures of Faith” series, St. George News reached out to the Interfaith Council of St. George and asked if they had a message about the holiday season they would like to share with our readers.
The following was submitted by Rev. Dr. Ralph Clingan, pastor, Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church.
“In Him was life, and the life was the Light of mankind. And the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not grasp it.” John 1:4-5 NASB (New American Standard Bible)
The traditional church season of Advent, which for many symbolizes daily chocolate and the remaining shopping days until Christmas, holds for us of the Christian faith a far deeper and hopeful meaning.
To the best of our knowledge, Advent has been observed since the third century. The season begins the Sunday 30 days before Christmas Eve. And what is not commonly known among many of traditional Christian faith that the church Season of Advent is separate from Christmas and ends Christmas Eve, when the church Season of Christmas begins.
Some traditions reflect this by having no Christmas decorations in their homes or churches until Christmas Eve when all the decorations come out and are displayed.
What is also not commonly known is that the focus of Advent is not Christmas. Advent remembers and rejoices in Christ’s birth but primarily focuses on the future second coming and the fulfillment of God’s promised Kingdom. Advent is a time to spiritually prepare for Christ coming into the world and the hope His coming brings to our daily lives and living.
On occasion, I have been asked what my favorite nativity story is in the Bible. Often to the questioner’s surprise my answer is John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” NRSV (New Revised Standard Version Bible).
Unfortunately, for far too many in our world, the Christ child never leaves the manger. For us of traditional Christian faith, it’s only the beginning of the greatest story ever told. Advent points us toward Easter while Christmas to the beginning.
Both days and seasons are very much worth celebrating.
A Holy Advent and Merry Christmas to all our good friends and neighbors in Southern Utah.
St. George News will continue to add new messages to the “From Figures of Faith” series over the weekend leading up to Christmas Day. For all faith messages, click here.
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