Our Digital Advent Calendar
"One of the essential paradoxes of Advent: that while we wait for God, we are with God all along, that while we need to be reassured of God’s arrival, or the arrival of our homecoming, we are already at home. While we wait, we have to trust, to have faith, but it is God’s grace that gives us that faith."
- Michelle Blake
Advent is a season of waiting…and while we wait, we’re offering a fun surprise…
You may be familiar with chocolate Advent Calendars – the ones where you open a little door for each of the days leading up to Christmas and find a special chocolate treat behind each one. We were still sending our adult children those calendars until just a few years ago (and they are all in their 30’s and loved receiving them). It is out of those daily expectations and waiting that something new was born for our church this year thanks to the creativity of Lauren Hardin.
Since you can’t come to the church right now, we’re bringing a bit of the church to you. Please check out the Digital Advent Calendar page on our website. By clicking on the Advent calendar each day between December 1st and Christmas you will find a little gift to view and be drawn closer to the season and our church home. I hope you find this daily “visit and opening” meaningful. Be sure to look for one of the days celebrating a virtual tour of the Christmas Pageant.
Beginning Advent this year is different than any year in our life time. We are experiencing waiting in new and different ways and we are having to forego many of the “normal” things we would do and enjoy during the holidays. Our worship theme is: “Gather ‘Round the Child” as we try to absorb the mystery of God’s coming. Strangely, God is always waiting for us…waiting for us to return home…to come home to Godself. We’re already slowed down a bit and so waiting in God’s presence can bring unexpected gifts and the deepening of love.
Advent is full of surprises…so don’t be surprised at what you find…and what finds you…all for the sake of love, a love that came into the world in a tiny baby so long ago…and a love that still comes…even now!
Advent Blessings,
Rev. Dr. David D. Young
Senior Minister