Advent is the four-week leadup to Christmas, which helps us to celebrate Christmas not as a day but as a season. Advent means “coming” - and we live between the advents - Christ’s first and second coming. So Christmas is a season in which we focus on celebration and anticipation - celebration of the advent the Messiah, who came as a suffering Savior to be Immanuel, God with us. And it’s anticipation - of the second advent of the Messiah, who will come as a reigning King, the King of Kings. Americans typically enjoy the lights and music and food and of course gifts to celebrate the holiday of Christmas. As Christians, for us the holiday is a delightful season reminding of joy both past and future, and here are a few ways to keep us grounded in the ultimate meaning of Advent...