Welcome: The Bun is in the Oven

by: Antonia Siebert

Imagine this scene: Family and friends gather in the living room, talking and laughing with one another. Mom and her helpers are in the kitchen preparing a special meal, and the most delicious smells are wafting through the air. First this one, then that one, wanders through the kitchen, stealing samples and generally getting in the way of the kitchen crew. Everyone is sharing anecdotes and telling tales about one another, but secretly everyone is really hungry and is eager for dinner to be served. They keep asking, "Is it ready yet?" The rich odors and the tasty tidbits only serve to whet their appetites. As the appointed hour grows nearer, there is a final burst of busyness in the kitchen, and finally Mom appears in the doorway and announces, 'Dinner is served!" With happy shouts the guests crowd into the dining room and jostle for their seats, and settle in for a lovely meal. But they don't just wolf down the food. They savor it, exclaim over it, and certainly congratulate the kitchen crew. And the talking and laughing, anecdotes and tales continue late into the night until every crumb is gone.

Advent is the time we spend with one another telling familiar stories while eagerly awaiting the big event - Christmas day. Advent is the season of anticipation, of longing, of hunger. Advent is the celebration of the coming of Christ, the hope for the world. Too often we imagine that we're celebrating Christmas when we really should be celebrating Advent, the time of preparation.

This year, celebrate Advent before you celebrate Christmas. Celebrate this time of wonder and hope with us, the members of Christ the King Lutheran Church. We offer our daily devotions to restore that sense of eagerness and anticipation. Let these scriptures whet your appetite so that when Christmas Day arrives, you are ready to dig in!