Next Sunday we begin a new Year of Grace with the First Sunday of Advent. The liturgical year always ends with our feast celebrating Christ’s eternal kingship, then we start the next annual cycle by looking back to the days of awaiting Christ’s coming in the flesh.
Liturgical seasons mark transitions of scriptural and liturgical focus, just as changes in the weather mark transitions in our other activities. Advent, while a time of preparedness to celebrate the great Incarnation at Christmas, is also stuffed full of whatever else the season brings for us: shopping, baking, spending time with relatives and friends. Those are not necessarily bad activities, but they can create chaos and stress in our lives and in our world. Recognizing this, we want to help create a “sanctuary of quiet.”
When you come to church you will notice the inside doors closed and lights dimmed. The Advent liturgies will then begin with the procession of light as we celebrate our waiting together.