Clergy Notes — Advent 1, November 27, 2022

Advent – the beginning of the Christian liturgical year – is upon us.

What does Advent mean to you? A new beginning?
A signal to begin anticipating (or panicking about) the celebrations of Christmas?
A time to draw inwards and reflect?

Advent, for me, has become a time that feels a bit like the calm before the storm. The celebration of the Incarnation – Christmas – is coming, but it is SUCH a great mystery, such an overwhelming joy and wonder, that I find it difficult to take in all at once.

I need the quiet contemplation of Advent to think about Mary, and what it means that God asked for her permission to come crashing into her world and ours.

I need the quiet contemplation of Advent to think about how God – Creator of Everything – chose to become flesh; a part of God’s own Creation.

I need the quiet contemplation of Advent to wonder what these two extraordinary aspects of the Incarnation might be saying about God’s view of humanity… and what God might be asking me to discover about my own humanity through them.

Mother Amanda

Download the Sunday service booklet here:Liturgy at Home Advent 1 November 27,  2022