For Christians the celebration of the Savior’s birth and resurrection are highpoints of the church year and the basis of our faith and hope. During the season of Advent (which literally means “coming into”), we take time to reflect on God’s great and gracious gift of Himself to each of us. What hope, joy, and peace this season brings to our hearts, homes, churches, and communities.

The beginning of the Church Year is marked by a four-week period before Christmas that helps us to prepare us for the “Advent” of Jesus into our world. When the time was just right, God sent His Son, Jesus, into the world. The season of Advent teaches us to prepare to receive Jesus. This is a time of reflection, repentance, and returning to the Lord. This is a time of personal devotion, prayer, and reading of God’s Word and a time when we join as family and as a community of faith to encourage each other through songs, prayers, and praising God.

Advent is also a reminder of Christ’s second coming, His return and consummation of His promises to restore all of creation to its original and intended purpose. Just as children anticipate the coming of Christmas, “Children of the Heavenly Father” eagerly anticipate Christ’s second coming and the final fulfillment of His promises.

As we prepare for Christ’s second coming, we don’t idly make “X” marks on the calendar. The Apostle Paul reminds us to “not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap…” (Galatians 6:9) and to “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise, but wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil (Ephesians 6:15-16).”

This Advent we also begin to reflect upon the nearly 75 years of blessings that Good Shepherd congregation has experienced in East Tacoma. As we recount those stories and the impact that God’s word and His people have had on our lives, we also look forward to a new year in the Lord. We pray for God’s wisdom, discernment, and perseverance as we look to see how the Holy Spirit is leading and calling Good Shepherd to be in the future.

Pastor Schuldheisz

OUR RESOURCES