Over the years I have learned more and more about Advent and the Church calendar. I have known it was the beginning of the Church Year because the Church calendar doesn’t follow the regular calendar of the world or culture. In the U.S. we put so much stock in a “new year” and January 1.
This year is more meaningful. It’s an opportunity to push through to new thinking and set aside the mess that has been 2020.
It doesn’t mean it isn’t dark. It is. In the U.S., with daylight savings time changes, darkness is a huge reminder.
It is dark because COVID is exploding in numbers and more and more of us know people who are succumbing to this pandemic. I lost an aunt last week to COVID and others close to me have let me know they are currently battling COVID.
Advent is the needed season. A season of hope and longing.
CLICK HERE for a good resource explaining Advent.
Today’s Old Testament reading for the first Sunday of Advent is from Isaiah 64. Let this verse lift our vision today.
Since ancient times no one has heard,
no ear has perceived,
no eye has seen any God besides you,
who acts on behalf of those who wait for him. (Isa. 64:4)
In this season, we worship a God who is ready to act on our behalf. Let us long… let us hope… for his coming!
Happy “New Year!”
Apprentice 2 Jesus 
One thought on “Happy New Year!”