\u201cAdvent is a season<\/a> observed in many Western Christian churches<\/a> as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus<\/a> at Christmas<\/a>. The term is an anglicized<\/a> version of the Latin word adventus<\/i>, meaning \u2018coming\u2019. … Latin adventus<\/i> is the translation of the Greek word parousia<\/i><\/a>, commonly used to refer to the Second Coming of Christ<\/a>. For Christians, the season of Advent anticipates the coming of Christ from two different perspectives. The season offers the opportunity to share in the ancient longing for the coming of the Messiah, and to be alert for his Second Coming.\u201d<\/p>\n In the Christian tradition, many churches and families make an Advent wreath with five candles, lighting one candle on each Sunday in December marching up to December 25th when we light the Christ-candle symbolizing the light of the world and celebrate Christmas — the coming and the gift of the Christ Child, One Who would be our Savior, One Who is King and Lord of all.<\/p>\n On the first Advent Sunday, the \u201chope\u201d candle is lit. His advent gives us hope of life after death, just as He exhibited it. And the \u201chope\u201d of good relationships on earth and in eternity, especially a reconnection with our Creator Father, the God of hope.<\/p>\n On the second Sunday, yesterday, the \u201cpeace\u201d candle was lit. His advent gives us a restored \u201cpeace\u201d with God, a present personal \u201cpeace\u201d by knowing Him and His ways, and the promise of eternal \u201cpeace\u201d through Jesus Christ our Lord.<\/p>\n Somehow, the yearly viewing of this wonderful DVD reminds me of all of that! I pray you get it<\/a> and make viewing it a meaningful family tradition, and\/or that you gift it to loved ones. They\u2019ll be joyful you did!<\/p>\n Who among us does not enjoy beautiful art, beautiful music, and the discoveries of good science? I think it\u2019s beautiful too that God gave this revelation to a lawyer, not an astronomer or scientist, but someone who is trained to look for clues, prove a case, and puzzle things out. A truth seeker, perhaps with a heart of worship?<\/p>\n This is something akin to what A.W. Tozer writes in his introduction to \u201cThe Knowledge of the Holy.\u201d \u201c…this book is\u00a0 neither esoteric nor technical, and since it is written in the language of worship with no pretension to elegant literary style, perhaps some persons will be drawn to read it. … I yet write not for the professional theologians but for plain persons whose hearts stir them up to seek after God Himself.\u201d<\/p>\n I\u2019ll leave you with this information from the Bethlehem Star web site. And with a sincere prayer for His Blessing on you and those you love\u00a0 during Advent and Christmas 2013. His Hope, and His Peace be yours in abundance! Amen.<\/p>\n![\"BethlehemStarDVD\"](\"https:\/\/afriendoftheking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/BethlehemStarDVD-300x225.jpg\")
<\/a>As I start a new category on the book\u2019s blog, Bread for the Spirit, this is a fitting first. We\u2019re in the season of Advent, which Wikipedia describes like this:<\/p>\n
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