The True Meaning of...Advent

The following is an excerpt from the collected writings of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, selected from Week 4 of "A Guide to Prayer for all Who Seek God." Aaron also read it in one of our house church's recent weekly services:

"Advent creates new men and women. Look up, you whose eyes are fixed on this earth, you who are captivated by the events and changes on the surface of this earth. Look up, you who turned away from heaven to this ground because you had become disillusioned. Look up, you whose eyes are laden with tears, you who mourn the loss of all that the earth has snatched away. Look up, you who cannot lift up your eyes because you are so laden with guilt. 'Look up, your redemption is drawing near.'"

"Lift up your heads, you army of the afflicted, the humbled, the discouraged, you defeated army with bowed heads. The battle is not lost, the victory is yours - take courage, be strong! There is no room here for shaking your heads and doubting, because Christ is coming."

Amen!!! :)