Pastor's Corner

There are certain signals we all recognize that warn us Christmas is on its way. The day after Thanksgiving families bust out the Christmas decorations and house lights. Many rush off to the busiest shopping day of the year looking for the perfect presents. Holiday music is playing on Main Street, advertising is everywhere we look and in everything we hear. It seems like even the weather won’t let us forget what’s just around the corner.

The most significant indicator that a special day is drawing near is the beginning of Church’s Advent. The season of Advent is the time we prepare our hearts for the Baby Jesus who came to live among us.

So much has happened this year including dramatic changes to our lifestyles and family traditions. With a global pandemic, natural disasters and sociopolitical tension I have become weary and longing for relief.

What you may not realize is that ADVENT is all about the awaiting, the yearning, the expectation that something better is on its way. God’s gift to us every December is the joy of pausing and reflecting on the perfect King and His kingdom of life and light.

This anticipation raises my hopes. It reminds me that God still loves us and lives with us fully in 2020. The very fact that God assumed our humanity and was born to secure our redemption fills my hope tank back to FULL.

“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” (Luke 2:11)

So, let us use this Advent to welcome once again the God who laid aside His glory and became one of us because of His great love for mankind. There are few events in 2020 that could be more wonderful, more startling, more exciting than this:

Jesus Christ was born into humble circumstances. He lived a perfect life and laid down that life as a sacrifice so that all who believe in Him will have access to God’s coming kingdom.”

This season, we remember the true meaning of Advent: the great joy God has promised for those who hope in Him.

Pastor Roger Pedersen

Pomeroy Christian Church

Pomeroy, Wash.