Dillon Community Church

Preparation. Tradition. Excitement. 

These three words are the first ones that come to mind in describing Advent. The hanging of Christmas lights on the newly installed Christmas tree prepares our homes for the Christmas season. Excitement builds as the date draws nearer and gifts begin to pile up underneath the tree. Plans are made for Christmas eve and Christmas day, and families fulfill their unique traditions to celebrate. 

The Jewish people in the time of Jesus had these three characteristics as well: the promise of a Savior created excitement, while Jewish traditions and prophecies pointed towards the coming of the Messiah, and John the Baptist prepared the way. 

But Jesus brought one more word to the Christmas season—simplicity. Born in a lowly manger to humble parents, Jesus turned the world upside down. The King and Creator of the universe entered Earth as a crying and helpless babe. As he grew to an adult, he remained committed to simplicity: showing us how little in life truly matters. By revealing how worthless our indicators of success are (wealth, status, power), he stripped us to our true, spiritual selves. As Jesus entered the world as a simple child, he commands us live our lives likewise: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3).

Lelan Eberly, high school director

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