Advent Prepares Our Hearts to Celebrate Christmas  

Advent

Advent is the first season in the church year, comprising the four weeks before Christmas. The word “Advent” comes from the Latin, “to come,” and the church has observed Advent as weeks of preparation since the fifth century with themes of watchfulness, preparation, and hope infusing this season. Together we both anticipate the celebration of God’s coming in the form of the Christ child and the final coming of Christ in the time to come. Blue or purple is the appointed color for the season. Lutheran churches observe Advent in numerous ways. Most light the advent wreath during the four weeks of Advent, adding one new candle each week.

Bible verses for this time: Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 40:3-5, Isaiah 11:1-5, John 1:14, Luke 1:26-38, Matthew 1:18-23, Luke 2:4-7, Isaiah 9:6 

We Celebrate the Birth of Christ on Christmas

Christmas

Christmas, December 25th, is the day we celebrate the birth of Jesus, when God came among us as a human being. In the church, the celebration of Christmas continues for twelve days. Trinity will worship with a Christmas Eve service at 4:00 p.m. on December 24th this year.

Read the Christmas story: Luke 2:1-20

The Season of Epiphany  

Epiphany

Epiphany falls on January 6. During the weeks of the Epiphany season, we recall the events of Jesus' childhood, especially the journey of the wise men who followed the star to Bethlehem to see Jesus, who is the light of the world. We also remember his baptism and early ministry.

Read the story of the wise men: Matthew 2:1-12, Mark 1:9-11, Luke 3:21-22, Matthew 3:13-17