We often think of Christmas time as beginning around Thanksgiving.  Now-a-days, retailers would have shoppers believe it begins at Halloween.  Actually, in the calendar of the Christian Church, the Christmas season begins at sunset on Christmas Eve.   The period of time before Christmas is known as Advent. 

The word "advent" means "coming" or "arrival."   The season of Advent is about preparing for the coming of Jesus the Christ as Messiah or King.   In Unity, we focus on preparing our hearts and minds for the rebirth and renewal of the Christ within us.    Deep within our soul nature, we have a yearning to express our Christ Light, the spark of divinity that is the true essence of who we are.   The weeks preceding Christmas often intensify this yearning.  There is an expectancy, an excitement that is not about sales and shopping, gifts and presents, or even surprises.  It is about something greater than all of this. 

The Advent Season is a time to prepare for spiritual rebirth.  It is a time to do some soul searching and make a commitment to increase our awareness and connection with the Christ of our being.   As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, we celebrate the birth in us of all that the Christ represents – hope, faith, joy, love, peace, prosperity, compassion, and all those attributes that were exemplified by our Wayshower. 

Last Sunday, we lit the candle of Hope or Faith.  Many of you have committed to lighting Advent Candles at home as well.   We can see the flame of the candle; it reminds us to have faith in that which we cannot see.  It is the outer symbol of an activity within our minds and hearts.  We have faith in God's promises and commitments to us as God's children.  It is through this attitude of hope and faith that we open to the channels of God's Goodness manifesting our lives.   It is with this attitude of hope and faith that we enjoy the blessings of this season with expectancy, allowing fresh, new divine ideas to be born in our lives, and forgiving others and ourselves of past mistakes and shortcomings so that we do not block this new birth of the Christ with old baggage or error thoughts or worn-out resentments. 

We pause this week to see the rest of our month unfolding perfectly, divinely guided by a growing awareness of the Christ within.  We are alive with anticipation.  We see blessings being heaped on our families, on our friends; we see these blessings being made real in our church, and most of all in our hearts.   Yes, we light the candle of hope and open ourselves to receive God's abundant blessings in our lives. 

Join Unity in Community on this journey through Advent to the Christmas.   Hope with us, experience peace and joy with us, and wait in love with us for the renewing of the Christ within each of us on Christmas Eve.