We are at the beginning of Advent, the path that leads us to Christmas. It’s a season of waiting, watching and wondering. We wait, not only for our annual celebration of Jesus’ birth, but also for his second coming, for the ushering in of the reign of God.
We watch for the signs of the second coming, not only the signals that tell us that change is near, but also for the visible signs of God’s presence among us.
Advent does not call us to idle waiting, watching and wondering. No, Advent is a time for active preparation. We take efforts to realign ourselves with God so we focus more intently on prayer, devotion, service.
We are called into action, living out our baptismal promises to proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed; to serve all people, following the example of Jesus; and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth. Advent is the season to get started.
This message is excerpted from “Active preparation” by Linda Post Bushkofsky from the November 30, 2015, blog of the Women of the ELCA. Today is the First Sunday of Advent.
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