Wait for the Light

"Light your candles quietly, such candles as you possess, wherever you are." -Alfred Delp

The season of Advent is once again upon us in a flurry of activities that can often leave us frazzled and breathless. It is a time of contrasting emotions: the joy of getting together with friends and loved ones and the sorry of feeling lonely or missing loved ones. As I say at the 10am service every Sunday, "All that you carry is welcome here". The season of Advent carries all of this and leads us to a new place.

Advent literally means 'arrival'. In understanding Advent in this way, we see that we have been given a season of preparation. It's not a season of idle preparation, waiting for the day to spring upon us, but a time to prepare our hearts and minds for a momentous act: God coming into our midst!

The Church will be busy preparing during this Advent season. We will work to prepare for God coming into our midst as we await the second Advent - the promised coming of God's kingdom to Earth.

To help us prepare our hearts, there will be various opportunities at the Church for activities and contemplation. Advent begins on November 30th this year. During worship, we will sing the longing carols of Advent, light one candle on our Advent wreath, and begin the wait and preparations of the season. On Saturday, December 6th, we will participate in Mendham's Holly Trail. We will host a hot chocolate bar for those who wander through our doors offering a little holiday cheer. We still need people to help out on this day. Please call the Church office to let us know that you can participate. On December 7th, Grace will host our Advent luncheon and cookie bake. This event will certainly put us in the spirit for the season, and we will enjoy fellowship at the luncheon that day. The Mendham Community will gather for a Longest Night Service at 7pm at St. Mark's Episcopal Church. At this service, we will remember that not everyone is joyous during this time of year. This service will help us recognize that there is loss and sadness in this world, but God still comes to us to bring light and salvation. Our Candlelight Christmas Eve Service will take place at 4:30pm on December 24th. And our Christmas Lessons and Carols Service will be held on December 28th at 10am.

That is a whirlwind of activity that will center our thoughts to fully celebrate Immanuel, God with us.

Advent peace, Pastor Julie