My dear friends,
      I love Advent. I don’t mean that I love the Christmas decorations (which I do); I mean I love this season. Advent is a time of joyful expectation. Now is the time to recognize our need for Christ. The retreat this past week helped with that. The prayers and readings in this season are just magnificent. Lighting the Advent wreath brings the light of Jesus into our lives. Beyond all those things, I think I most appreciate the Advent hymns.
      Everywhere you go shopping, you will hear jazzy arrangements of “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” or “Winter Wonderland”, but I adore the music for Advent. “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” speaks of the hope the Savior’s birth will bring us. “The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came” recalls the Archangel announcing to Mary that she would be the Mother of God. “The King Shall Come When Morning Dawns” tells us how the gloom of doubt and sin will give way to the radiant splendor of God Incarnate. “Comfort, Comfort, O My People” sets the beautiful prophesy of Isaiah to music that foretold of God’s peace coming. “On Jordan’s Bank” tells us of the mission of St. John the Baptist preparing people to greet Jesus as our Lord. “Beyond the Moon and Starts” sings of our hunger for God and the desire to live with the Lord forever. Each of them is a precious gem. Each song is lovely. Each one holds a dear place in my heart and makes this season so joyous.
      This Sunday afternoon at Four O’clock, we will celebrate Lessons and Carols. In this prayer service, you will hear some of the Advent Hymns and some of the Christmas Carols. We will read together the ancient prophesies of the coming Messiah, and our lectors will read the Gospel texts that relate how those promises were fulfilled in Jesus. It’s a time to hear it all. I hope to see you here for this glorious celebration!