Dear Friends,

“Advent creates people, new people.”   Dietrich Bonhoeffer

This year, Advent begins on the first Sunday in December on the 3rd. This is one of those seasons when we say, “Advent is short this year”. We have the unusual occurrence of Christmas Eve falling on a Sunday, so we observe the Fourth Sunday in Advent in the morning and Christmas in the evening. Although it may seem shorter, the number of days is the same to Christmas and our preparation needs to be intentional and prayerful as we await the coming of Christ.

You have heard me say many times that I love the rhythm of the church. Our liturgical calendar brings not only us, but the whole world around to a time of beginning again. We start a new church year and have the opportunity to prepare in a special way for Christmas. How well we do this will be an example to others.

How do we need to get ourselves ready to welcome Jesus into our lives? What needs moving or rearranging to make space for God and to make us a new people? Here are a few suggestions that you might find helpful as we wait.

• Set aside daily time for solitude, study and reflection.

• Keep an Advent wreath in your home to see the light burning. (We will make these at church on December 3.)

• Have an Advent calendar for daily observance and prayer.

• Turn the radio off while driving. Not hearing the noise of the world for a short time can be refreshing.

• Explore a new way of praying. (See me for ideas and suggestions.)

On December 24, the fourth week of Advent, we light the final purple candle on our Advent Wreath that symbolizes peace. This candle, the “Angel’s Candle,” reminds us of the message of the angels: “Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men.” During the week prior to this on December 20 we will observe “the darkest day” as a day of Prayer for Peace in the world. The church Nave will be open from 12 PM to 6 PM for those who would like to stop by to light a candle and/or say a prayer. Written prayers will be available.

Perhaps if our focus this year is on peace, internal and external, we might meet Christ on Christmas as a new people.

Blessings,
Gini+