My friends tell me I'm stubborn - I don't think I am, except at Advent time.  I refuse to decorate my house with inflatable Santas, candy canes, or Rudolph stickers on my picture window.  I don't even put up my Christmas tree until mid-December. However, I will put candles in the windows to signify the waiting for someone, the Messiah, to come.

I have a new perspective on the promise of the Messiah since my daughter converted to Judaism.  She told me that Jews aren't really expecting the Messiah anytime soon, because first there must be worldwide peace and Shalom. When that Shalom exists, THEN Messiah will come.

Although as a Christian I believe Messiah has come, knowing that we need to prepare our world for Messiah changes the focus of Advent.  We must do what we can to bring Shalom to Wausau.  As a church we already do that with the Angel Ministry, the continuation of Food Pantry and Community Suppers. But before we sing joyful Christmas carols, we have a personal responsibility of preparing our own hearts for the coming of Christ.

This year in the Sanctuary, we will put lots of candles in the chancel to show the progression of the Advent season . Here's how the Music Ministry will guide us through the beginning of Advent, with its quiet preparation, to the joyful celebration of Christ's Birth:

Sunday, November 30:  Chancel Choir's anthem, "Come, O Precious Ransom" brings a
             quiet invitation for the Messiah to come and save us. 
Sunday morning  Dec. 7:  "O Come O Come, Emmanuel" (God with us)
Hallelu! leads worship with a song based on Isaiah 35 and other Advent carols
Sunday afternoon, Dec. 7:  Afternoon Communion Service
Sunday morning, Dec. 14:  Festival of Carols
Chancel Choir and Handbell Choir move us from Advent to Christmas
through carols and anthems, new and old
Sunday morning Dec. 21:  Children's Christmas Pageant:  The Christmas Story
Special anthem with New Creation Singers and Worship Troupe.
Christmas Eve, 6:00 p.m.:  Family Service, led by Senior High Youth and Hallelu!
Christmas Eve, 10:00 p.m.:  Candlelight Service, led by Chancel Choir and Handbells