The Importance of Advent

December is a special month for Pinnacle Classical and truly for all believers everywhere.  The start of the month marks Advent, a time to set our minds and hearts to the thought, “Come, Lord Jesus.”  As Christians, we understand the Christmas season is not mainly a time about decorations, lights, presents, Santa, and reindeer.  It is a time to meditate on and celebrate the coming of our Lord Jesus, our Emmanuel, the visitation of our God to earth.  But not only is it a season for remembering Jesus’ first coming, but also a time to think on His return.  Christians are still waiting.

At PCA, we value teaching our students about this important time of Advent, making Christ the focus of the Christmas season.  In Mrs. Reed’s lower elementary class, the children are learning about Advent in several ways, the first being an Advent chain.  Each student made a paper chain to take home, so that every day they could tear one off and remember what they are awaiting.  During class, Mrs. Reed also lights an Advent wreath, one candle a week, to set as a reminder while they are in school.  Third, her students are also currently making their own Advent wreath that they can “light” by coloring in a flame each week until Christmas.

It is a gift for students at PCA to be reminded of the differences between our culture’s Christmas and the Christian’s Christmas, that this celebration means markedly more for believers than simply giving and receiving gifts.  PCA’s commitment to the Christian learning environment and a biblical worldview ensures that students are learning to separate the holy from the common and to think differently than the world, especially about important cultural events and the way Christians ought to respond to them.  Grace and Peace to you during this Advent season!