Advent: Waiting for the Lord

Each year, the church observes Advent, anticipating the culmination of the season in the celebration of Christmas Eve. It is a time of telling a familiar, well-known story. Yet, because we live in a culture so different from that of ancient biblical lands, and we do not understand many of the allusions in the Bible, our well-known story is really only "half known."

Biblical archeologist Dr. James Fleming will, through his lectures, bring us to greater understanding of the many facets of Advent and remind us of one of the most surprising characteristics of God.

Dr. Fleming is the founder and director of the Explorations in Antiquity Center near LaGrance, Ga., where full-scale replicas of life in Biblical times have been created to help visitors better understand the Old Testament and New Testament scriptures. He also founded the Bible Resources Study Center in Jerusalem and was the founder of the World of the Bible Archaeological Museum and Pilgrim Center in Jerusalem.

Learn how a wilderness serves as a place of preparation, how the prophet's promise of light to a people living in darkness is fulfilled. We read in the scriptures of the unimportance of Bethlehem and the insignificance of Nazareth -- was that truly the attitude of people in biblical times? Remember how surprising it is that women appear in the geneology of Jesus, and learn what that teaches us about both the gospel writer and about God.

Rich Rubietta, who will serve as worship leader, is a modern-day circuit rider and Conference Evangelist for The United Methodist Church. Appointed to Abounding Ministries, Rich and his wife Jane are "musician-aries," helping congregations redevelop and rediscover their voice in worship. Whereas Rich pastored congregations for 14 years in the Northern Illinois Conference, he now views the General Church as his congregation, much like the early circuit riders.

Click here to view a video of Rich Rubietta

Schedule of events