Veni, Veni, Redemptor

From the December Pres by Joel Adams

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel! November 29th marks the beginning of Advent. In this season we await the incarnation of God. In our world of “NOW”, there is no reason to wait or anticipate anything. Let’s just have it all right now! Forget the depth and contemplation…let’s just skip to the joy and celebration! Why would we wait or spend any time praying, singing, or pleading for His arri-val? He already came, lived, died, and rose again.

As I contemplate the music of the Church, I find answers! As I sing and meditate on the words of Ad-vent music, I am connected with a world with no savior. Even more so, I am reminded of who I am without Christ. Of course, the music of Advent is founded and taken straight from Holy Scriptures. The messages of hope, love, peace, joy, and anticipation are messages from above. Similar to Lent, Advent has a deep and transformational purpose. Those in darkness, sad-ness, and despair finally have hope in Christ. If we are honest with ourselves, we are similar to those from ages past! We are reminded of the people who were wandering without hope and how Christ en-tered their lives, entered our world! We often get

caught up in the good things of our lives, forgetting what we have been rescued from. There is a rea-son for our Church Year and the music that accom-panies. In the midst of our lives we are reminded of the journey and life of Christ. Is His life signifi-cant? Is His life worthy to spark introspection within our own lives? How can this Advent time of year transform me?

Let us dive into the richness of Advent! Let the awe and wonder of God fill your homes. Fill your homes with sacred music that will point to the coming Christ. I encourage you to read the Advent hymns as prayers in your home. I will gladly provide you a hymnal if your home is lacking one. Spend time remembering your past and how it relates to those who lived prior to the incarnation. Let those memories provide a stark contrast to your life with the living Christ today. Rejoice in the Lord, who will never leave you, and what He has carried you through.

I challenge you not to treat this entire season as one big holiday! Enjoy the depth and wonder of what the HOLY – DAYS are all about. God is coming to earth… “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silent!”