First Sunday of Advent

Today is the first Sunday in Advent. We light the first candle on the wreath for hope.

"The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
on them light has shined....
For a child has been born for us,
a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
and he is named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace"
Isaiah 9: 2, 6


Advent is the beginning of the Christian liturgical year, and it entails the four Sundays before Christmas and Christmas Eve. We wait hopefully to welcome the Christ-child into our hearts on Christmas Day. It is important to note that Christmas does not begin on Black Friday or on the first Sunday of Advent. Just because ABC Family is running their "25 Days of Christmas" campaign during December does not mean that Christmas is now. We are in the season of hope, the season of anticipation, the season of preparation. And just like in Lent we should be holding ourselves accountable to make room in our hearts for Christ. For the past few weeks I have been assisting a local church in preparations for their advent children's pageant. The children are wonderful, and it's going to be a great pageant. The children are teaching me about Christ's love and about the hope we should all have all year long.