It seems that more often than not, that when it comes to the content of these newsletter notes the aim is simply about passing along important information about the goings-on of the church: notices about upcoming events, new education opportunities, new small group gatherings, etc.
Instead of taking that approach this month, I would rather use this space to talk about how we are preparing ourselves this year for the coming of Christ. How is it that we will live and think during the season of Advent in anticipation of God being born among us? Generally speaking, we are excellent “do-ers,” that is to say that we are great at keeping ourselves busy with all kinds of different important projects that need doing. Sometimes though, it's good for our lives and our hearts to remember that it is OK to be still and know God's presence. We move through life at break-neck speed; slowing down to be reminded of God's presence in our lives and our need for God in our lives is hardly a waste of time, in-fact it is quite the opposite, it is what helps to keep us focused on what is most important as seek to share in God's mission to love and bless the world.

To this end, I encourage you to make your experience of Advent season a prayerful one. On the first Sunday in Advent we will hear from the prophet Isaiah. In doing so we are instantly connected to the prophet's longing for God to do something new in the world. Indeed, the reading from Isaiah that Sunday begins with the words, “O that you would tear open the heavens and come down...”. Isaiah's words are a prayer that express a hope that God will doing something powerful in the world. What is the new thing that you hope God will do this year? How do you hope to experience renewal in your life through Christ? In what ways do you need the presence of a Savior in your life? This season we celebrate the kingdom of God. We celebrate that it comes in Christ and that one day it will come to its completion. We give thanks that the kingdom comes into our lives and that God blesses us by calling us to share in the work of the kingdom. In what ways might you feel called to share in God's renewal of creation this year? What parts of your life are in need of renewal this year?

This season of Advent I urge you to make space in your day to turn these questions over to God. Perhaps it's while you're making breakfast or even while you're driving to work. Slow down. Take comfort in knowing that God comes to us in Christ renewing our hearts and all of creation. Rejoice in that. Be strengthened by that. Remember that not only do we belong to God but that when we share in God's mission to love and bless the world that it is God in Christ who leads and way for us. Have great and joyful expectations about what God is doing in your life and in the world. What we receive this season is a reminder of the strength of God's promise to us in Christ and that when we are attentive preparing ourselves to his coming, it only increases our joy at his arrival and our experience of his grace.