First Sunday in Advent

The waiting begins

The first Sunday in Advent

A day of hope

A day of expectation

Good things to come

Time at home

Time with friends

The waiting of the season

In the beginning was the word

And the word was with God

And the word was God

O Come O Come Emmanuel

Three times today I have heard the words of advent reference the second coming of Jesus. So often I have thought of it as the preparation of the birth of the Baby Jesus ... but no ... it goes much beyond that. The question ... "are you ready?". The response "here I am Lord" ... but it is more than that ...

One reference to the Advent said "During the four weeks before Christmas, Christians celebrate and look forward to both the first and second coming of Jesus. Advent can help us on our spiritual journeys, to set aside time to remember and give thanks for God’s gift of salvation through Christ, to remember how we are to live in the light of this reality, and to prepare our hearts for when Christ comes again."

The other: "The people who sit in darkness are waiting for the light that shines. Happy waiting and hope and expectation as we begin again a new year filled with promise and wonder. Jesus is coming."

So during these four weeks how will I spend my time? ... being busy running around? Gathering more things? Spending money? Getting things for "linen closets" (that was where my grandmother would sometimes put our "gifts".

I'd like this to be a different advent season ... a Christmas of sharing gifts of the heart with others .... gifts of time, of friendship, of love.

What are your plans for the advent season?