ADVENT

As December approaches many forget the real meaning of Christmas. We get caught up in the gifts, the decorations, and sometimes the aesthetics but do not know the reason for it all. In this Advent season, our gaze should be transfixed on the one who was promised long before, the Savior Jesus Christ.

Who was the baby in the manger? The one whom the angels announced? He is Jesus Christ, the incarnate God. Willingly, He left His splendor and riches and came down to be man so that He would give salvation to mankind through His death. He did not enter this world with riches as king or nobleman, but in a lowly manger. He was tested, tried, and in all ways made like us so that He would bring about something much greater - salvation to mankind.

Let this be a joy for us all that He came down and endured the life not of riches, but of humility and poverty so that we may one day stand in the riches of heaven, and in eternity forever with the Father. During this Advent season, let our focus be on Jesus Christ - the long-promised, the Savior who came, and the One who sacrificed to save us all.

-Valentina Nirean