It’s a little known fact that the Season of Advent, the four weeks leading up to Christmas, is actually the beginning of the Christian year; not the end. Some churches celebrate New Year’s Eve on November 30th in preparation for their New Year, beginning on December 1st. We’re almost at the end of the year and it’s time to begin again. We do that by paying special attention to the season of Advent.
The word ‘Advent’ derives from a Latin word adventus, meaning ‘to come’. This is a season of longing. We long for the return of our Savior who will one day come to right everything that’s wrong with the world, once and for all. In the work that we do, we don’t have to look very far to be reminded that all is not right with the world we live in today.
Beginning on Monday I’ll be sending out (the) Mission Matters every week leading up to Christmas. I’ll be paying special attention to the liturgical tool of the Advent wreath to help remind us of this sacred season we’re about to enter. It will be my little attempt at not letting the commercialization of Christmas get in the way of the true meaning of the season; that Jesus has come to walk amongst us and will come again someday to set everything right, once and for all.
God of the universe
As we prepare for Advent
As we go about our day-to-day work in our shelters
As we try and not let the busyness of the season overwhelm us
We pray that you will stir our minds and hearts to focus on the true meaning of the season
We long for that day when everything will be made right once and for all
Amen