Advent
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Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light.
- from the collect for the First Sunday of Advent
This Sunday is not only the first Sunday in December, but also the first Sunday of Advent, and therefore the first Sunday of a new church year. On this Sunday we’ll move from worshipping with the readings for ‘Year A’ to the readings for ‘Year B.’ And as always, the year starts off with a bang with some apocalyptic readings - one from Isaiah that describes God’s unimaginable power, a psalm that begs God for restoration and renewal, and Jesus’ prediction of the cosmic return of the Son of Man.
Last week, on the final Sunday of the year, we were reminded of God’s dream of reconciling all things into love. We were reminded that we can trust God’s power to save and heal us as the sovereign of love. As the year starts off, the Advent 1 readings are always a bit unsettling, just as our world is quite unsettling these days. But bolstered by the vision of the glorious kingdom of God in last Sunday’s readings, we are encouraged to move forward into this new year despite the fits and starts, painful lessons and harsh reality of human life.
This Sunday’s beautiful collect assures us that with God’s help, we can put on Christ, who is the armor of light, and walk forward despite the gathering darkness. Our continuing prayers for God’s grace and our desire to cast off anything that is not light will forever protect us as we walk. By sticking close to the love of God, we can look ahead not with trepidation, but with confidence, because we are assured that the light is always coming. Indeed, it has already arrived! This Sunday as Advent begins, we begin to welcome it anew.
How do you practice putting on God’s armor of light? Do you have a book of special daily Advent readings? Do you devote extra time to Scripture and prayer? Do you begin a fresh, new journal or sketchbook? Do you serve your neighbors in special ways? There are many ways to deepen in faith during Advent, and it is always a good investment to spend more time with God, in any new or renewed way.
Advent is an inward, anticipatory season during which, at least in the northern hemisphere, the days get shorter and shorter until they are as dark as they get all year. What a powerful symbol that is for us that the light will always return. Once we hit the winter solstice, God’s promise is made true in plain sight by the very sun itself. So as these days get shorter, I invite you to take some cozy time with God. Make some tea, put aside your screens and seek the light in the darkness. There are loads of advent resources for you to consider in our eNews this week.
And I look forward to gathering together as a church this Sunday to mark the start of this beautiful season of Advent and to support one another in making ourselves more ready for whatever comes our way, more firmly planted in Christ. May God give St. James the grace to be defended by the armor of light and to shine with an inner light even when the world around us keeps getting darker.
Arise and Shine, for the Light of the World has Come - Behold Your God!
