Advent, Year A (2019, 2022, 2025 etc.)
Happy New Church Year! The Gospel according to Matthew will be our main guidebook through Year A. Matthew appears to have had a hunch that the Son of Man’s expected return just might be taking a bit longer than expected. Matthew helps us figure out how to live — as we celebrate the birth and life of Jesus and await his coming again. One thing Matthew is very clear about: be ready!
Advent, Year B (2020, 2023, 2026 etc.)
Advent means “coming.” The coming of the baby Jesus, God among us in human flesh. The coming of Christ again “the Son of man coming in clouds with great power and glory. In between those two great comings is God’s constant longing for each of us to come to God, to love God, and to let God love us. “Be alert.” Notice. Listen. Watch. For what? For the ways God will choose to get our attention this season. For those moments when we notice that our ways are not in alignment with God’s ways. For those shimmering glimpses of the Kingdom of God.
Advent, Year C (2018, 2021, 2024, etc.)
Advent extends an invitation. The invitation: don’t just do something – stand, watch, prepare. Stand. Choose to believe that ours is a safe universe – a universe God chose to enter as an infant. Watch. Look for a coming that has already come and will come again. Prepare. Snatch moments from our busyness. Watching for wisps of awe and wonder to show up. Rediscover that God has chosen to dwell in us and we are invited to dwell in God.
What if – just what if – Jesus is already right here, standing silently with us, walking ahead of us, showing us we don’t have to do it all? Could it be that we are called to be still, notice, listen – and then follow?