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From December 2005 ADVENT EFFORT The First Sunday of Advent has come and gone. So it is official: we are now in the midst of the 2005 Season of Advent. During the four weeks of Advent, the Church around the world prepares for the coming of Jesus Christ. Christians get ready for Christ best by admitting that our lives are out of step with our profession of Christ, by confessing our sins, by letting God’s grace cleanse our hearts and minds and bodies. To prepare for the Lord’s coming, we can and should be doing these things. But there are so many other Christmas and holiday activities going on during this time of the year. The challenge for the Church is to stay focused, as a coach would say, during December. In the middle of all the preparations for December 25 -- the practices and the parties, the card sending and the gift giving, and so much more -- the challenge is to stay focused on the coming of Jesus Christ and on getting ready for Him. To be sure, let’s enjoy all the December activities. But let’s now allow them to distract us. Beneath the holiday cheer and the rush-here-rush-there, let’s be intentional. Let’s strive. Let’s focus. Let’s allow God to move us to heartfelt repentance. Let’s see our need, our deep need, for a Savior. Let’s get ready -- for Jesus Christ. He is coming.
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