Happy New Year! Did you know that Advent is the beginning of the liturgical (worship-based) year for the Christian church? In this season of waiting and preparing for the coming of Christ - both Christ's coming in the birth of Jesus and Christ's coming again/continually in our lives and the world to bring about the New Heaven and New Earth - we traditionally read passages from the Bible that describe the Israelites' longings for a messiah, an anointed one from God who would bring God's will to life in the midst of oppression and exile, renewing the ancient covenant. We also read about the people in the gospels who recognized and proclaimed that God was about to do something new in the person of Jesus. And some of the passages in the lectionary readings relate to early Christians' anticipation of the return of Christ to "make all things new," and to initiate the reign of God on earth.
Obviously, our culture's tendency to commercialize holy days and encourage overindulgence are not very compatible with the theological focus of Advent on waiting, keeping watch, preparing, and celebrating something so small as the birth of a child and so radical as the entrance of the divine Creator into the flesh and blood of humankind. Questions to reflect on might include, What are you waiting for in your own life? How are you making room for Christ to be born in you?
If you would like to learn more about the meaning of Advent, or would like to take some time for intentional reflection in the midst of this hectic time, you are invited to join the Advent study group on Tuesday nights (below). You may also wish to spend a little time each day in reading or meditation; in addition to the many fine print resources available for Advent (check out Cokesbury's selection, for example), you might consider The Upper Room's daily Advent reflections or study guide. If you're not already in the habit of daily devotional reading, you may be surprised at how much difference 5-10 minutes a day of focusing on God can make for your sense of grounding and spiritual wellbeing.
On a more communal note, this week Highlands UMC offers a number of opportunities to get into the spirit of the season (in case "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town" at the mall doesn't work for you):
Tuesday, November 29, 7:00 p.m. Advent study group begins, using Night Visions: Searching the Shadows of Advent and Christmas, by Jan Richardson (details below). Books will be available for purchase at the gathering, which will last approximately an hour.
Saturday, December 3, 2:00 p.m. Hanging of the Greens. All are welcome to come for some holiday cheer with hot cider and cookies, Christmas music, and good fellowship as we decorate the church for the season. If you would like to help provide refreshments or teach a craft to others, please contact the church.
Sunday, December 4, Rev. Betty Bradford will preach on our Advent theme of Peace, as we remember that one title for Jesus as Christ is "Prince of Peace." Guest singers from the Columbine Chorale will join in singing with the Highlands Chancel Choir to provide special music. Worship begins at 10:00 a.m. After worship (starting around 11:15 a.m.), the Missions Committee will sponsor a brunch, with donations collected to provide Christmas stockings for children in HeadStart. Donations of candy for the stockings also gladly accepted!
Hope to see you sometime this week!
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