I hope everyone has a filling Thanksgiving this week – and that you will come to church this Sunday as we enter the holy season of Advent. Advent is a time of expectation of God-with-us, the divine presence born human. It is a time to prepare to come close to the Mystery of Christmas.
Mysteries can be hard to enter. Sometimes people can walk right through a Mystery and not even know it’s there. That is why Advent is so important. So how do we get ready?
One way is to commit to a devotional practice for this short four week season of the Church year. Yes, it is a time when the world around us speeds up and fills up, which is why it’s even more important to create a solid center within ourselves. This Sunday devotional materials for children, youth, and adults will be available to take home: a sticker-a-day of reflections through the season, Advent calendars, and booklets with writings from Henri Nouwen and C.S. Lewis. You can also participate in an online worldwide Advent calendar. The Society of St. John the Evangelist has once again created a social media Advent calendar with a different word for each day of the season. For example, the word is SHINE. Everyone is asked to post a picture that reflects the word of the day using the hashtags provided. They then create a daily calendar collage from all the photos posted. There will be a handout with the calendar and instructions with the other devotional materials, or you can go to www.adventword.org to learn more and sign up to receive emails every morning with the word of the day.
Another great Advent tradition is the Advent wreath, and this Sunday at 9:30 am everyone is invited to come and make wreath to take home. We will have all the materials, you just have to come and put yours together! There will also be a special Advent prayers and devotions booklet to use when lighting the candles in your wreath.
However you choose to pause and take a breath this season as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus – Emmanuel – God-with-us, I hope the season brings you close to the love of God.
Yours in God’s peace,
Kristin+