Time of celebration, wonderful waiting

Eric Babb, member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1504 Bob Billings Parkway:

As the words of “Auld Lang Syne” were being sung last Dec. 31, what thoughts went through your head?

Many of us use New Year’s as a time of reflection upon ourselves – what we did (or did not) do, and what we hope to accomplish. Today is a bit the same, a bit different. This Sunday marks the first Sunday in Advent, the beginning of the Christian church year.

Advent, Latin for “coming,” is the season that celebrates the coming of Christ. In much the same manner that we view New Year’s – what our lives have been to this point, what they are, and what is to come – we can also view Christ’s coming.

We see Christ’s coming in the past, prophesied in the Old Testament: ” … behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9).

We see Christ’s coming in the future, when he will establish a new heaven and earth: “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar. … But according to his promise, we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3: 10,13).

And we see Christ today, in his word and sacrament.

The Christmas season is important because it serves as a time of celebration and wonderful waiting of Christ’s coming.

Christmas not the only time for festivities

Mary Ball, member, Lawrence Evangelical Friends Church, 1601 N.H.:

This is the time that I can celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and what he means to me.

My Dad shared the true meaning of Christmas the last years of his life with us seven siblings at Christmas. I believe that is why we care and love each other more than receiving presents.

I knew Jesus as a teacher and prophet, until I was 33 sitting in the back pew of my church.

I was feeling such a void in my life, even though I was married and had two sons, ages 10 and 11. I marked a pamphlet that I wanted to know more about Jesus.

My pastor came to my house and took me on the Roman Road in the Bible. I repeated after him the sinner’s prayer.

Praise God, I now know Jesus personally as my Lord and savior. He has been with me through rough times and saved my marriage when the Christian counselor said to our son, “I cannot do any more for them. They are heading for a divorce.” We will be married 50 years next May.

At another time, I knew in my heart I was heading for a breakdown. When our pastor gave an altar call, without hesitation I gave the hymnal to my son, Steve, and went up and laid my burden at Jesus’ feet, and what a relief. I cried tears of joy when Jesus took my heavy burden, like he did for the pilgrim in “Pilgrim’s Progress.”

I don’t just celebrate Jesus Christ at Christmas season, but all through the year.