Christmas is just 35 days away, are you ready? Every one of us will have to deal with the challenge of the Christmas season.

Perhaps the most important question is, how will we prepare ourselves for Christmas so we don’t miss Jesus? Observing Advent helps us prepare for Christmas.

 

Overview of Advent

The word Advent means "coming" or "arrival." Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas (November 29), and continues until nightfall on Christmas Eve. The focus of the entire season is the celebration of the birth of Jesus the Messiah in His first Advent or coming, and the anticipation of the return of Christ the King in His second Advent.

 

Advent also symbolizes the spiritual journey of individuals and our community, as we affirm that Christ has come, that He is present in the world today, and that He will come again in power. Advent reminds us that we live "between the times" and are called to be faithful stewards of what is entrusted to us as God’s people.

 

Why is Common Ground observing Advent?

Over the last several years we have observed Advent as a deliberate way to join with the church around the world in preparing ourselves for celebrating Christmas (the Incarnation). To prepare ourselves is to remember the God who is at work. Many times in the Scriptures God calls His people to remember. To remember is a powerful way to “reset” our lives; remembering God’s faithfulness and deliverance in the past leads to faith for the future. That is why Advent is marked by a spirit of expectation, of anticipation, of preparation, of longing.

 

So instead of frantically running and consuming our way through the holiday season, Advent calls us to live at a slower pace. Each week of Advent focuses on different aspects of our life with God (hope, faith, peace, joy, justice, etc.). These themes are meant to remind us of God’s redemptive work in our lives and in the world, providing hope. It is that Advent hope which brings anticipation of a King who will bring peace and justice and righteousness to the world.

 

To learn more about how Common Ground will observe Advent, including some practical ideas for you and your family, check out our Advent download.

Empower the poor and oppressed by purchasing products from the ServLife Store after all services at Midtown and CGCC-West on December 6 and 13. Products include bags, jewelry, purses, scarves, wallets, paper products, hats, backpacks, soap, candles and more. By purchasing these products, you help provide viable economic alternatives for talented artisans who are working to escape the brutal trap of extreme poverty and human trafficking in regions where ServLife is working.

 

ServLife staff members, Ellen Bender and Jennifer Storm, have been working in Nepal for over 2 years. They are responding to the complex issues of human trafficking and sexual exploitation in Nepal by starting a gift-items production business, Beauty for Ashes, in Kathmandu. Beauty for Ashes employs some of the women who are victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation.

 

“Research says if you rescue the women and don’t give them something sustainable to do after they have been rescued, they can easily go back to what they were doing,” says Bender “so, we want to provide sustainable jobs for these women who have come out of prostitution or being trafficked.”

 

The women make gift items, like jewelry, that are for sale in the ServLife Store. The business functions as a second step for those who need a job and help to holistically aid the women in their healing, as they will be able to make a living without exploiting themselves while at the same time experiencing the truth, love, and hope of the Gospel. Please pray for this effort and that God will work in the lives of the women.

 

We have many new products, so be sure to stop by the tables and help bring hope and light to those who desperately need it. To find out more about the ServLife Store, our mission and other ways you can make a difference, visit the ServLife website.

Common Ground is excited to announce our Vision Trips for 2010. God is giving His church (us) a vision for His kingdom, and that vision is to live missional lives. He is calling us to go out – both locally and globally – to learn more about Him. We are to taste, touch, see, hear and feel this vision of who God is and what He’s up to around the world. We hope you will make the journey with us in 2010 and allow God to instill His vision for the nations in you.

 

We currently have 4 trips planned for 2010 and additional trips may be added throughout the year. These trips will be announced and information will be posted on the website so be sure to check back. For trip specific information, click on links of the confirmed trips below:

The Key Learning Community (KLC) is a program within the Indianapolis Public School System that is designed to research and develop innovative practices in teaching. KLC celebrates diversity in our population and our communities and personalizes education by building upon each student's strengths. Common Ground recently gave a donation to the KLC to help purchase a trailer for a music team. The trailer will open up many opportunities for the students and enable them to perform at various locations in this region.

Intro to Common Ground

Intro to Common Ground is an opportunity for those who are new to CG to learn about the vision, values and story of our community. The next gathering is Tuesday, December 1 at 6 pm. Attendance is limited and a light dinner and childcare are provided. Follow this link to register.

 

 

It’s Time to Redistribute!

The deadline to make a contribution to our Redistribute partners is December 27. Redistribution booklets and envelopes are available in the Information Center at Midtown and at the Information Table at CGCC-West. Click here to download the brochure.

 

To learn more, please see the article above.