Advent is a season of the church year that offers a counterbalance to the swirl of activity around us. The messages that come to us through media and our own pace say there is always an expectation of more shopping, partying, celebrations, and preparing. At least in my circle of Christian friends a good part of the conversation is, "Have you started cooking yet, have you started shopping, are you done wrapping yet?" The other side of our conversation is the Advent the message of encouragement. We are encouraged to nurture and bring forth the goodness inside of each of our lives because God believes in humankind. God believes in humankind so deeply that God asks us to look to the heavens to see the wonders of the changes God brings about. God asks us to look into the eyes of an infant, and therefore into the eyes of our own being, to see the goodness God gives us. Encouragement comes from God believing that inside each human being is a goodness to be called forth, the sacred nature of God living in our lives, and a center in which we can discover God's presence.
When the pull of expectation through preparation pulls us in the hurried direction, Advent is the counterweight encouraging us to look around and look within for God's presence with us.
Reflecting on the every day, practical dimensions of faith. Practices to shape our lives each day as followers of Christ. Stories to share our practical experiences of wisdom, faith, hope, and love.
