Thanksgiving and Advent

How appropriate to move from Thanksgiving to the first Sunday of Advent.  Thanksgiving--a day to thank God for the gift of my faith, my family and friends, and the countless blessings that He has given me.  Now, I am moving on to Advent, the time to prepare for the celebration of Christmas--"for God so loved the world that He gave it His only begotten Son....that we might not die but have eternal life."  Advent-- a time to rejoice.  On Monday, I have been invited to a candlelit dessert night at my sister's church--one of my favorite Advent events.  Fellowship, music, inspirational talks and dessert.  I will set the Advent wreath on the fireplace, and set up the Nativity set in the French way, including children, musicians, clowns and animals.  When I find myself too busy, the Nativity will remind me that I am celebrating the birth of God's Son.