Day 211--Women's Ministry kick-off for Advent

Tonight I attended a women's ministry event at TBC.  It was to kick off the beginning of Advent.  I have gone to church all my life, and never attended a church that did this thing called Advent so I am a novice at knowing about it.  Last year, our church for the first time included it in our December services.  This year, I decided to attended the kick-off last night and it was a wonderful time of fellowship and prayer and discussion of the Advent season.  "Advent" means "coming" and in church history it has been God's chosen people looking forward to His birth in the old testament and now for the New Testament church it also includes the 2nd coming of Christ as promised.  I've always seen Advent calendars and  boxes and wreaths in stores at Christmas time, but the true issue is based on remembering the promises of God that He would send a Savior.  We were given a little book that has four weeks of devotionals associated with Advent and activities and songs as well.  This is what the real Christmas story is all about--and why haven't all churches seen to it that their congregations focus on this?  It is so much more than the story of a baby in a manger, and I am truly blessed that I am getting to participate in this season in a new way.