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My favorite time of year has arrived once again! I love just about every part of the month of December: the lights, the food, the decorations, movies, music, and yes, who doesn't like a wrapped mystery under the tree? When I think back on some of my warmest memories, they are of toasty evenings playing around the Christmas tree as a kid with a candy cane in my mouth. That Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Van was awesome. Who wouldn't occasionally return to days like that if given the chance? Many seek to do exactly that, vicariously, each December. By working to create warm holiday memories for our kids and grandkids, we get to experience the joy of our own childhood holidays again, if only for a moment.

I guess I'm a nostalgic guy. I have gotten more so as time has gone on. The older I become, the more I appreciate being a child. That is not necessarily a bad thing. Nostalgia helps us remember there is still peace and joy in the world, if we only look for it. Nostalgia and tradition are at their peak this time of year, thanks to Bing Crosby and the Hallmark Channel. Oddly enough, this time of year has very little to do with looking backward, as nostalgia would have us do. The four weeks of Advent leading up to the 12 days of Christmas are actually more about looking ahead.

Advent means "coming" or "arriving". Over the month of December, we look ahead and prepare ourselves for the Return of Jesus Christ! While it is true that we spend time to remember the first time Jesus came in a manger, (hence the penchant for "looking back"), the Nativity Story is most valuable to us as evidence of what Jesus will do in the future. He said He would come once, and He did: in a real time and place. He also said He would return, and He has shown He keeps His promises.

This month, I encourage you to give serious time to reflection and anticipation. There were many who were unprepared for the first Advent of Messiah, so let's learn from their mistakes. Each week, we focus on one concept to help ready our hearts: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. The more we can understand and practice these ideas, the more prepared we will be when Christ comes again.

There are many resources available this time of year to help us cultivate these things, so it is a good time to stock up. Even better, we don't have to wait for the Advent Season to engage them! We can do it all year long. I don't think Jesus was speaking in a general or metaphorical sense when He told us to be continually watchful and ready for His return. I think He meant to literally spend our years learning, planning and practicing for the Day when Christ comes to unite us with Himself forever in Eternity. After all, we spend a lot of extra effort (and money) preparing our homes and families for Christmas each year, we ought to commit the same passion to preparing for the Return of our Lord.

I know you are probably busy. The world tends to ramp up this time of year. However, I think there is enough nostalgia laying around that we can afford to exchange some of it for anticipation. Maybe turn off "A Christmas Story" on TBS (don't worry, it will be on again in 2 hours) to ask God to shape your heart for the Second Coming. Better yet, go do something like community service, or helping a neighbor, that will encourage your heart to grow. Christmas comes but once a year, but Jesus' return will be once and for all. Get ready! Happy Advent, everyone!

Pastor Evan Elwell

Pomeroy Nazarene Church

Pomeroy