This line from J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit sums it up: “It does not do to leave a dragon out of your calculations.” Today begins what is traditionally known as Advent which is just a fancy word that means “arrival” or “appearing.” It is the time leading up to Christmas and the celebration of Jesus’ birth. We can easily get caught up in the joy and celebration and revelry of Christmas. But don’t forget the dragon! The Dragon, as we shall see, is a necessary part of the Christmas story. In fact, the story doesn’t really make sense without him. We'll go back to the very beginning in Genesis 3:1-15 and see the Dragon’s first appearing or “Advent” if you will. Because, after all, it does not do to leave a dragon out of Christmas!
