Bethlehem United Methodist Church, Bena, will present its annual Christmas program, “Carols at Bethlehem 2023,” at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 17.
The program will include seasonal music and readings including selections by the church vocal and handbell choirs, directed by William Keith Brown.
The word Advent is a shortening of the Latin word “adventum,” meaning coming. Pastor Chuck Winner of Bethlehem UMC notes that “Each year the season of Advent calls the Christian community of faith to prepare for the coming of Christ, whose birth we celebrate at Christmas.”
Because its liturgical focus is on expectation and contemplation, the observance of Advent tends to be somewhat restrained, a release said. That restraint is relieved on the third Sunday of the season, called “gaudete” or rejoice Sunday, when Christians are urged to look forward to the joy of Christmas.
This year Gaudete Sunday falls on Dec. 17, and the choirs and congregation of Bethlehem UMC invite the public to celebrate with th...