Five…four…three…two…one…Happy New Year! Wait, time is already flying quickly enough without skipping an entire month.
Despite the fact that it’s not January 1st, we are celebrating a new year (liturgically speaking). The church year always begins on the first Sunday of Advent, and it ushers in a new cycle of biblical readings for the coming year.
Advent is the liturgical season that leads up to Christmas. The word Advent is derived from the Latin word adventus which means “coming.” It’s intended to be a period of preparation as we focus on the past, present, and future coming of Jesus. It is a season of hope and joy and emphasizes what we need to add to our lives.
There are many similarities between Advent and a new year when you really thing about it:
- Just as we await for a new year with the hope of things to be better than the past, Advent reminds of that we await the coming of Christ with deep anticipation and the joy that is to come.
- A new year gives us a chance to make new resolutions to enhance our lives. Advent allows us to take a look at ourselves and see how we can do better at making room for Christ in our lives.
- A new year is a wonderful celebration that bids adieu to the things of the past in lieu of things yet to come. Advent prepares our hearts to shed the things that weigh us down so that we will have room for Jesus to enter into our very being and become one with us.
May this Advent season fill our hearts with what we need and remove all the things that we don’t.
Lord Jesus,
Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.
We who have so much to do and seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day,
We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us.
We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom.
We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence.
We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light.
To you we say, “Come Lord Jesus!’ Amen.
~Prayer by Henri J.M. Nouwen
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign; the young woman, pregnant and about to bear a son, shall name him Emmanuel. ~Isaiah 7:14
We all need a little bit of Advent now. Find out why here.
