Advent is a time of preparation, but preparation for what? I’d like to invite us to imagine this Advent as a time of preparation for new life within God’s Divine embrace. I believe that God is drawing all of creation to Godself in intimate love, and that relationship with God is the most important relationship we will ever have. Advent offers us an invitation to renew our spiritual lifecycle, to engage in a time to wrestle and to wonder about how our Creator God came to us by choice and by love in Jesus of Nazareth. I hope that Advent will also serve as a time of discipleship. Together, we will encounter John, Zechariah, Elizabeth, and Mary who each respond to God’s invitation to come closer in their own way. May their model encourage us as we choose to press into God’s Kingdom with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength this Advent. As we take our first steps on this journey, we will discover that the pathway is not hidden, it is in plain view and accessible to all, but it does require one crucial first step: to Turn. Tomorrow, we will Turn together and begin our journey on “The Way of Love” with the expectant joy in knowing that Jesus came to redeem us, to reconcile us, and to restore all of creation to its rightful relationship within the Arms of True Love.
Post by Tara Shepley
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