The Mainline Minister

Yesterday I was discussing with Chip what the last possible date for Advent might be.  November 29, this year's First Sunday of Advent, was closer to that date (December 3) than it was to the first potential (November 23).  Interesting, yes, but does it really matter?  We'll always have four Sundays in Advent, and Christmas will always fall on December 25.  What *really* matters to me is not so much the calendar but the time that will pass.  How will we use it?  What will we do?  Will we actually engage in any preparation? Now is the moment for us to pray on this, to make plans, to be intentional about this season of the church.  With God's help, I'm sure that we can all make the most of this Advent, and be ready to meet the baby Jesus when he arrives later in December.

Happy (Church) New Year!  Today we begin Advent, a time of anticipation and repentance.  Are you ready?  Do you feel like maybe you need an Advent for Advent, a time to get ready to get ready?  I can't offer you any extra time, but I will offer an unoriginal suggestion: make the most of the time you have.  In the next 26 days, focus on what is truly important and let go of what is not.  It may sound simple but doing this can be surprisingly difficult.  It will be worth the effort.  Just think - in less than four weeks, Baby Jesus will be with us!  Let's get ready, let's make a new start.