1st Sunday of Advent

This Sunday (Nov 28) is the first Sunday of Advent. The season of Advent marks the beginning of the Western (Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Protestant churches) Christian year. Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas and ends on Christmas Eve.

From the Latin adventus, Advent means “coming” or “arrival."

Throughout history this season has been observed as a fast, with its purpose focused on preparation for the coming Christ. During Advent, Christians all over the world prepare themselves to receive the newborn in a lowly manger, to celebrate the birth of Jesus the Messiah.

In this time, Christians also look forward to Jesus’ coming again and the establishment of God’s new creation.

Throughout Advent, Christians humbly confess their sin, seek God’s forgiveness, and joyfully look to Christ’s indwelling presence through the Holy Spirit. We wait and hope for Christ’s light to break through the darkness of our world. We wait and hope for the revelation of Christ with us, Christ among us.

But we are also called to do much more than simply wait and hope. God calls us to action. Throughout the season of Advent (and beyond), we are called to be Christ's light for salvation to the nations. We are led by God’s Spirit to enact God’s peace and justice in the world, as we put on the armor of light and seek to love. Who knows where this will lead us, or what trials will be encountered on the way. Anything can happen. But our call is remains the same: follow Christ, no matter what the cost.

As we embark on the Advent journey once again this year, consider these words from Romans 13:

Owe no one anything, except to love one another…Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light, let us conduct ourselves becomingly as in the day…clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

A Franciscan Benediction

May God bless you with discomfort

at easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships;

so that you may live deep within your heart.


May God bless you with anger

at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people;

so that you may work for justice, freedom, and peace.


May God bless you with tears

to shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger and war;

so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and

to turn their pain into joy.


And may God bless you with enough foolishness

to believe that you can make a difference in the world;

so that you can do what others claim cannot be done:

to bring justice and kindness to all our children and the poor.


Amen