Advent is the period of four Sundays before Christmas and literally means a ‘coming in to being’.  It is a time of reflection and renewal where we focus our hearts and minds on not only the things of the past year but on the promise and hope that is carried on the shoulders of the new born Christ child about to me celebrated.  

Many Christians celebrate Advent not only by thanking God for Christ's first coming to Earth as a baby, but also for his presence among us today through the Holy Spirit, and in preparation and anticipation of his final coming at the end of time.

Emmanuel, literally meaning God with us, is at the very heart of the church network, Emmanuel Connections (www.emmanuelconnections.org).  Too often I forget that God is with us 24/7 not just in our time of need or on special holidays or Sundays. 

There are people in our circle of influence who are spiritually dying because they lack a vision to see that God IS with us and AMONG us and is moving IN and THROUGH us.  God, living in us, will use us to reach our friends, co-workers, families, neighbors and yes sometimes even our enemies.  We are His connectors.