Dillon Community Church

The Journey

Planes, trains, and automobiles? Many of us picture John Candy and Steve Martin on their journeys that collide during holiday travel, as we plan trips with the anticipation of seeing loved ones and celebrating together. Your life is probably as busy as mine and like in the movie, it can be interrupted by unexpected events no matter the planning we do. Hopefully we won’t have to deal with blizzards, car fires, missing rentals, or burglars as in the movie, but even normal life can get in the way of celebrating this season. Taking a moment each day to prepare our hearts and minds enables us to keep Jesus as our focal point amidst the holiday turmoil.

One of the traditions we like to participate in, here at Dillon Community Church, is the Advent Wreath. The symbolism behind it is beautiful and has been used by many believers since at least 1600. The word, Advent, means arrival or coming. We should always be celebrating the arrival of the baby that changed the world, but especially at Christmas. It prepares us by remembering Christ is the “Light of the World.” In John 1:4-5, the Bible says “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

The evergreen branches indicate the unchanging nature of God’s faithfulness to us, and the circular shape reminds us of our promise of eternal life in Christ. The candles remind us to prepare our hearts and minds as we rejoice in the Messiah.

Themes: LOVE, JOY, PEACE, and HOPE!

As we make this holiday journey together and with our loved ones, take a moment each day and remember Jesus whether through the Advent Wreath or another way. You can pick up a wreath, Christmas Countdown cards, activity cards, and other items at DCC in the Children’s Ministry Area to augment your Christmas traditions. Merry Christmas!

Kathy Jo Pfeifer, elder