Happy New Year!

Nope.  I’m not early.  As I have been appreciating more and more, the beginning of the blessed season of Advent is the beginning of the Christian year.  As we quiet down our hearts each evening, dimming the lights, lighting the candles and bathing our minds in the promises of scripture (every last one of which is fulfilled in Christ!), we begin our year anew, one year closer to the new heaven, the new earth, the heavenly city come to earth, the drying of every tear, the healing of the nations and the answering to all of creation’s groanings!

As the year is made new, Christ’s faithful presence with us makes us new.

So, as this year brings us closer to the glorious return of Jesus and the Resurrection that is our hope, may this year bring each of us closer to the Author and Finisher of our Faith.  May God richly bless you this year.

In His Hope,
Tom

A quick poll: Advent

I was just curious, as Advent is about to begin…

Have Advent Wreath, Will Travel

In La Paz, I was told a few Sundays ago, “Evangelical Churches are closed on Christmas”.

First let me say: pray for the Church in La Paz, that she will not, for whatever reasons she may have for disliking Christmas, pass up such an amazing annual opportunity for presenting Jesus Christ.

Second, let me say: The Incarnation is “the dawn of redeeming grace” as we sing in “Silent Night” and Christ – the Word made Flesh – deserves to be celebrated (I don’t care if churches do it in July!).

So, my wife and I, choosing to look odd and seeming rather Catholic to many people – whatever that means – carted around our huge, homemade Advent wreath and teaching people, through lessons and carols, about the coming of our Lord.

You can read more about that at my other blog, www.fishersoflapaz.com.

Anyway, light a candle this evening. Read the Old Testament names for Jesus with your family. Eagerly await the coming of the Christ-Child and rejoice in God’s faithfulness.

And, if you know any Christians who have – due to social evils like Wal-Mart quasi-Christmas money-making – thrown out the Baby with the bathwater, please please please invite them over when you do it.

My Worship Team

I am a teacher at Highlands International School in La Paz, Bolivia.  There, I wear several hats.

My favorite (a close second being that of Board Games Club organizer!) is that of High School Music & Worship class teacher / chapel worship leader.  I am hoping that the second part of that description will eventually fall away and that the kids will really take charge and ownership.  They are – generally speaking – all showing great commitment and promise.

I mention them because, right now, the vast majority of my thinking about worship centers on my relationship with these high school students and our weekly work of leading others in worshiping our great and worthy God and Savior, Jesus Christ.

So, as Highland’s first real season of Advent comes (people here are new to a lot of the historical aspects of Christian faith), and as these kids go from being song-leaders to lead-worshipers, I will often be chronicling our journey together.  I hope this will be informative, and a blessing to you as you read.  Chau for now.