Advent is the first season of the Christian year. Advent, from the Latin word meaning "to come," is a special time when Christians draw closer to God's loving gift...Jesus Christ. Today is the third Sunday of Advent.

In Isaiah 7:14, we read, "The Lord will give you a sign. The young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel (that is, God with us)." In Luke 1:26-38, we read, the angel said to Mary, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, the child to be born will be holy; he will be called the Son of God." The prophets of ancient Israel spoke for God saying that a savior, a messiah would be given to God's chosen people. The people expected a king like David, a conqueror who would make them once again a mighty nation. They did not expect their messiah to come as  a helpless, vulnerable infant, born to common parents. Further on in Luke we read: "Mary treasured those words and pondered them in her heart" (Luke 2:19). I love that word, ponder. Do you ever ponder things? Do you take time to slow down, to tune out the world and ponder, to wonder, to reflect, to ruminate about things? This season of Advent is a time for us to ponder, to wonder.

Let us pray: Loving and awesome God, fill us with your Spirit. Comfort those who mourn, heal those who are ill, and mend the lives of those who are broken. Amid all the holly and the candles, let us give thanks with all our hearts for the real message of Christmas, that you have come among us in order that we may life with you forever. Now watch over our veterans and be with the chaplains and the men and women saving our country in the away places. In Jesus' name. Amen.