December 1st: The First Sunday of Advent! Let the Christmas Advent(ure) Begin!

Today is the First Sunday of Advent...the time of preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. 

(this photo is from a previous year. I didn't think to take a picture this morning!)

"This morning we light the first candle, the candle of hope.  This candle reminds us that God's promises give us reason to be filled with hope~hope for unity in a world of division, hope for healing in a world of pain, and hope for peace in a world filled with anger and strife.  We remember that Christ is our light and the source of our hope." 

Click HERE for a previous post about the 1st Sunday of Advent 

And here is an even older post about the 1st Sunday of Advent 

(each of these links helps to explain more about Advent and why we celebrate it each year)

Here is a video of today's choir anthem and our Pastor's sermon about the Annunciation of Jesus' Birth...His Birth Announcement, if you will.  (Luke 1:26-45).  The song the choir is singing is entitled "Christmas is a Time of Joy", and it was written by two of our own church members, which makes it even more beautiful and special.

It was a beautiful service, and something else made it even more wonderful! We had some very special guests visiting our church today, someone especially that some of you may know: Barbara and Gary from My Journal Memories

Here they are across the table from us as we went out to eat at one of our favorite places after church, "Hog Wild Country Cafe'"

And here we are across the table from them:

And here's our handsome guys after a delicious lunch...

And here is Barbara and myself, also after enjoying a great time of good food and wonderful conversation.

It's really nice that Barbara and Gary live only about an hour's drive away from us, so it made it possible for them to make this trip this morning in time for church and then to stay for lunch and get back to their home at a reasonable time. If they are anything like us, maybe even in time to take a nap!  LOL.

This is not our first meeting together, and I hope it will certainly not be the last. I love it when "cyber friends" become "real friends in person".  We have found that the things that drew us together through our blogs have been only enhanced by having an in person friendship as well.  I am very thankful for Barbara and her gift of writing. She has truly been a blessing to me over the past several years that we've known each other. I look forward to that friendship continuing in the years to come.

Today was a rather chilly, but sunny and beautiful day! After our afternoon nap and then a light supper,  hubby and I went outside and took a little walk around our yard. The first thing we noticed was that there were some Canada Geese sitting in Still Waters Pond just off shore.  So of course you know what I did for the next few minutes before the sun went down...yes, I took as many pictures as I could without disturbing the geese too much.

The above photos were all taken with my "real camera", hence the quality is a bit better, until it started getting too dark. Then I switched to my cell phone camera, and the pictures aren't quite as good of quality because it doesn't have as good of a zoom lens, but the lighting is better for a little longer so we can still watch them.

It was a very peaceful evening...a perfect way to end the First Day of December...

The temperature had only reached the low 60's today, after starting out around 36!

Tomorrow morning we actually have a freeze warning! So things might be a bit too cold for me to go out and watch the geese on the pond! (If they are even out there).

The geese were starting to get into a bit of a "face off" in these below, which means  that the "bull goose" was starting to tell the others who's the boss around here. LOL.

After that they swam off into the sunset and I don't know if they will stay here on the pond over night or leave and come back tomorrow.  They have their own routine and schedule...and we are just spectators who are blessed to be able to watch them as they go about their daily lives on Still Waters Pond.

I know that today being December 1st, I should be doing the calendar roll call for the new month. But I think you've seen enough photos already. I will close with just this one from the Thomas Kincade calendar:

For unto us a Child is born,

Unto us a Son is given;

And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of His government and peace

there will be no end,

Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,

to order it and establish it with judgment and justice

from that time forward, even forever.

The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this."

Those verses are very fitting for today being the first day of Advent!

Okay, let us go share the "Advent(ure)" of Advent with others! Christmas is all about the birth of a very special baby boy...Jesus...the "Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace".  That's very good news!