The First Day of Advent 2009...

Today is the first Sunday of Advent, Christian's celebrating the remembrance, the promise and birth of the Christ child...

I started celebrating advent a few years ago because I wanted to make Christmas more spiritual along with all the celebrating, gift giving and the parties that we would participate in. It is something that I really look forward to each year. I want to share how I feel about Advent with you...

"Advent, Advent the little light burns,

First one, then two, then three, then four,

Then the Christ child at the door."
-unknown

The lighting of the first candle, of hope, is in the anticipation of Christ birth...

I was thinking of this old hymn, O Come O come Emanuel. I had to do a search for it, since it wasn't in any of the hymnals that I have, but it tells the story.

Oh, Come, Oh, Come, Emanuel
-unknown

1. Oh, come, Oh, come, Emanuel, And ransom captive Israel That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.

2. Oh, come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free Thine own from Satan's tyranny; From depths of hell Thy people save And give them victory o'er the grave. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.

3. Oh, come, Thou Dayspring from on high, And cheer us by Thy drawing nigh; Disperse the gloomy clouds of night And death's dark shadows put to flight. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.

4. Oh, come, Thou Key of David, come And open wide our heavenly home: Make safe the way that leads on high And close the path to misery. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.