No-A is not for December! A is for Advent.
As our children grew up we found that they also out grew the usual Advent calendar ideas. They didn't get very excited about the little trinkets from the Advent tree or the 25 teenie, tiny Nativity figurines waiting to be discovered behind the little doors. They didn't have time in their busier adolescent schedules to always sit with us and discuss the details of the Christmas story in ABC order. The Advent celebration in our house had to evolve if it was going to continue to be apart of our family traditions. We continued with the ABC idea but it became more grown-up friendly. Instead of Angels and Bells and Candles we considered the names of Jesus beginning with each letter of the alphabet. So on December 1 we all came up with a name used for Jesus (or maybe a word that described Him) that started with the letter A. December 2 was the letter B, December 3 was the letter C, etc, etc. Each member of the family would do this on their own time and enter their ideas on a calendar stuck up on the refrigerator door. At least once a day each of us stood in front of that said refrigerator so it was convenient and accessible. And if (heaven forbid!) someone didn't get around to coming up with their own word they could at least be reminded of the Reason for the Season by seeing what others (as in, Mom) had recorded on the sheet.
The one thing that has remained consistent through all the Advent calendar adaptations is that we usually missed the first couple of days of December and started late. Why does December 1st come up faster the than first of any other month?
So in true family tradition I am starting this year's version of the ABC Names of Jesus Advent Calendar on December 2.
Today I give you A is for Apostle and Advocate.
Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession.
Hebrews 3:1
Webster defines apostle as a person who first advocates or initiates a great reform. An apostle is a person sent by another, a messenger.
Jesus entered my life to initiate a great reform, to make me a better me, to correct me, to improve me, to be the remedy for what ails me.
An advocate is a person who speaks or writes in support or defense of a person, cause; a person who pleads for or in behalf of another; an intercessor. This was the role of the High Priest.
Jesus entered my life to be my Advocate. He came to plead in my favor, to intercede for me at the right hand of God, the Father, to support me.
And as I think about it, I just took care of "B is for..." also.
Jesus is the Bridge. God, the Son was sent from God, the Father to span the gap between His holiness and my unholiness, between His perfection and my imperfection. Jesus, the Apostle came on the first Christmas to be God with me and, Jesus, the Advocate came to be me before God.
B is for Bridge.
Wow, I'm all caught up and it's only December 2!
Merry Christmas, Everyone!
