Introduction
By Dr. Michelle L. Louer, Director of Music and Fine Arts

We usually think of December as an end. The end of the calendar year. The end of a semester. The end of a fiscal cycle. But in liturgical terms, December is a beginning. It is the beginning of the church year.

It is a season of hopeful expectation for the coming of Christ, commemorating the joy of his physical birth, welcoming transformation as he comes into our hearts, and anticipating his return at the end of time.

In partnership with Lent, it is one of the seasons of preparation for a deep spiritual experience.

Advent begins with a look backward as we remember Christ’s first coming. Over the course of the season, the traditional scriptures appointed by the lectionary lead the congregation on a four-week journey – revisiting the testimony of the Old Testament prophets, recalling the life of Christ, and finally, proclaiming Christ’s birth.

We hope that you will commit yourself and your family to this journey as we put this year’s dark shadows to flight by focusing on the light of Christ.

WHO IS THIS MESSIAH?

This is the journey that you are invited to take in a unique way this year at Second Church. Through five-minute daily videos created by the collaborative team of our Director of Music and Fine Arts Dr. Shelle Louer, Visual Producer Emily Ristine Holloway, local Videographer Ryan Scrogham, the Indianapolis Baroque Orchestra, and members of Second Church’s Beecher Singers, you will experience the familiar music of Handel’s Messiah and the meaning of Advent in a powerful, new way. Each weekday in December, we invite you to enjoy a video scene, featuring music and imagery inspired by Handel’s Messiah. On Sundays in Advent, our worship focuses on the mystery and majesty of Christ as we explore together “Who is this Messiah?”

---

SHARE THE STORY WITH CHILDREN

“Messiah” means the one who saves us from a very bad situation (Merriam Webster’s Dictionary.) In Jesus’ time they expected a mighty King like David who could win a battle. What do you think a Messiah would be like?

FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTION

What makes you feel safe and loved?