This weekend we enter into the wonderful season of Advent. I think this is one of the most special times in our Liturgical Year.  Advent is characterized by shorter days, colder nights, and warmer jackets. We are fast approaching winter once again in this upcoming month of December, but of course it is Christmas itself that we are preparing for in our church.
    We keep church décor to a bare minimum. No flowers or plants but simply natural greens and muted hues of blue and purple, reflective of this wintry time of year. Of course  we have our Advent Wreath which marks the season week by week with an additional candle.
     Outside in our world, the Christmas season has already begun. Decorations are ablaze in stores and malls and are cropping up in homes and people are getting stressed about shopping and baking and sending greetings of the season. It is one hectic time of year!
     Inside our churches we try to preserve a sense of calm and quiet waiting. We anticipate the coming of Christ in  every season as well as at the end of time. Advent recalls the centuries and generations of Israelite people who longed for the coming of the Messiah as we sit with our own longing and anticipation for God in our lives. God promised the people of old a savior and kept renewing that promise through  the years to keep their hope alive.
    God continues to make that  promise today, assuring us that He will be reborn into our lives as well.
    Don’t let this beautiful season pass you by. Put a wreath on your table and light it each day. We are providing weekly prayers for your wreath and meditation booklets to help inspire your devotion. They can be found in the rear of the church. Open your hearts and be receptive as the Lord comes along and touches your lives with His  promise and His hope.