Advent at Bay View Baptist Church

I have been wanting to write a new post here for some time but have been busy with uploading Our Life Together (a newsletter from the First Baptist Church of Chula Vista -- during the '70s) and writing on my blog of the same name. Finally, I think that I am ready to work here also.

Advent is a great time at the church. Of course we are not a liturgical church; we don't celebrate everything in the church year. But Advent is wonderful. We look forward to a celebration of the arrival of Jesus Christ, born in a manger. We also look forward to his return as Lord of Lords and King of Kings. Advent encompasses the four weeks prior to Christmas. This coming Sunday will be the third Sunday in Advent.

The first Sunday we has as our theme, Light; Jesus is the Light of the World. We lit our first candle and meditated on the first few verses of the Gospel of John which speaks of the light that was coming into a dark world. Our world was also brightened by celebrating a baptism. It has been a long time since we have had a baptism. This was a young woman named Katie. It was a special moment. Indeed, the light shined in our little church.

Last Sunday we reflected on the theme, Hope; Jesus is the Hope of the World. We lit the second candle and meditated on the next few verses in John. This passage has to do with the hope of becoming children of God; a great privilege. When we become children of God, we enter into an entirely new dimension of life.

The church is beautiful. We celebrated the Hanging of the Greens last Saturday. We have a tree, lots of greenery, poinsettias and nativity scenes. Sunday the 20th will be our Christmas Sunday. We will have a breakfast potluck. The Hispanic church will be joining us for breakfast and worship. It is great to have a time of worship with our brothers and sisters; singing and praying in both Spanish and English. Our celebration time will conclude with a Christmas Eve Service. We will be singing the old carols and sharing about the meaning of Christmas. This is a great time.