Happy New Year! It is a new church year in a good percentage of churches around the world. A reminder that the Kingdom of God isn’t “in step” with this world’s calendar or agenda. It is good news just on that front for me!

This week’s readings are from Isa. 64:1-9a, Psalm 80, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, and Mark 13: 24-37.

In each of these passages, I have a longing in my heart to see the Lord. I long to see the One whom my soul loves. Advent is not just remembering his coming the first time, but to be reminded he is coming again. In that longing I learn to wait. Waiting isn’t about sitting and looking around. It is to work in the vocation given to me. I have felt lament in this season. I carry that in intercession, for that is part of my vocation.

I long for him to come and end violence. I long for him to come and bring peace in areas where violence reigns. I long for those lost to come home.

In this season, I long to see him face to face.

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, 2019)