Joy does not simply happen to us, writes Deacon Franz Fruehwald. It grows where there is space cleared by humility, softened ...

Advent's Lent-like waiting period is exactly why churches do not immediately whip out Christmas trees at the end of Ordinary ...

As we listen to these readings for the first Sunday of Advent, we may be perplexed by what we hear. First, Paul’s letter to the Romans urges his listeners to put away what is dark and cultivate the ...

The Christian season of Advent, which begins this Sunday, is a four-week period of preparation for Christmas. Advent's themes of hope, peace, joy, and love are symbolized by lighting candles, moving ...

An Advent wreath is circular and symbolizes everlasting life and unending love. The arrangement is used to put our attention ...

In the weeks before Christmas, coordinator of worship Cindy de Jong plans Calvin chapel services around the season of Advent. Recently, de Jong reflected on the significance of Advent during a busy ...

God promised through Isaiah that He would deliver His people from their darkness. He would send a child, and that child would become their great rescuer. He would rule and reign with justice and ...

Nor can we observe Advent without the Blessed Mother. “Among creatures, no one knows Christ better than Mary; no one can introduce us to a profound knowledge of his mystery better than his Mother,” ...

Our consumer culture says "party all the time." But Advent songs emphasize the darkness that comes before the light.

Advent is a peculiar season, one that might only be known by those who attend liturgical churches that closely follow the Christian calendar. Some people put up Christmas decorations and trees before ...

It’s simply not too early to start thinking about Christmas, thanks to this year’s lineup of advent calendars. Yep, they’re that good. No matter what your (or your giftee’s) jam is—beauty, food, ...