Did your alarm clock wake you up this morning? Today rings like an alarm clock. Last Sunday was midnight, the end of the Church Year. Today is daybreak, the beginning of the Church Year. Christ is coming! He is coming soon on the Last Day. He is coming soon to be born in Bethlehem. But you will sing on that day, “Be born in us today.” . . .

In Advent we listen to the Old Testament to hear about our Lord’s coming. We’re especially interested in prophesies about His Birth. We love the prophesy that a Virgin would conceive a Son and call His Name Immanuel. We love to hear Micah proclaim Bethlehem to be His birthplace. We look forward to hearing about the Seed of the woman crushing the serpent’s head. . . .

Advent is a time to meditate on what the Old Testament Scriptures teach about our Lord. Some stories give us pictures of Christ. Last week’s story of Isaac being replaced by the ram is a picture of Christ replacing us in sin and death. The Old Testament worship was vivid imagery of what His Death would do for us. Then there’s the prophets. . . .

How’s your preparations going? We’re getting ready for Christmas. Many of you have already decorated. The Sunday School children are preparing for their program next Sunday during the Bible Class hour. Have you sent out your Christmas cards? Are you done shopping? Are you listening to Christmas carols all the time? Are you hoping for a white Christmas?