Advent Like No Other...

This Christmas like those in the past comes with the challenge to block out the noise and focus on the child. A child like no other. This Advent for me is a season of waiting and preparation. It's a season of holy expectation and examination. It's a season that our youth ministry will be defined by 3 words...

• Resist : We're resisting the siren's call that happiness and joy are found by what we own. When the reality is that our stuff is actually what ends up owning us.
• Worship : Not just singing but with our whole being. If Christmas stands for the birth of the messiah, the one who saves then our lives become reoriented around that truth.  Tis the season to find our true north again. 
• Send: A truth I'm learning is that gratitude is never silent. Where am I pressing into the darkness. Who am I helping on mission?
  
  
   Oh Come, Thous Day-Spring, come and cheer 
  Our spirits by thine Advent here
  Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
  and death's dark shadow put to flight
  Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel 
  Shall come to thee, O Israel!