Dear Church Family,
I hope you had an enjoyable Thanksgiving spending time with family or friends, feasting on a delicious meal, perhaps taking a walk or watching a football game. 
Advent is already upon us.  The idea of a Christian calendar evolved between the 3rd and 5th centuries.  Easter and Pentecost developed first, followed by Christmas, the date of celebrating Jesus’ birth likely set as a counter festival to the birthday feast of pagan gods.  Advent developed in the 5th century as a four week period of preparation for Christmas.
Historically, Advent has been  a season of penitence, but in recent years the stress has been more on Advent  as a season of hope marking Christ’s first coming as savior and anticipating his coming again.  The  liturgical color for Advent is purple, although some Protestant churches now use blue, as a color marking hope. 
The origins of the Advent wreath go back to German Lutherans in the 16th c, though its popularity took hold in the 19th c (as did many Christmas customs).  The circular shape represents eternity, the green branches symbolize life, and the candles focus on Christ as light of the world. 
The lessons for the 1st Sunday of Advent are Isaiah 9:2 and Luke 21:25-36. The sermon is “A Small Center of Sanity.”  We will sing Charles Wesley’s great advent hymn “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus” and will be celebrating communion. 
See you in church.  I look forward to a sea of purple. Look for me in my purple sport coat! 
Peace and Joy


Rich