The life of the church is often focused on starting again. Today marks one of those major starting points, as once more we begin the season of Advent, as we prepare for the coming of Christ, as a child, and his second coming in glory.
It is sometimes hard to remember and mark the season of Advent when the world, (by this point in the year), seems to have gone headlong into Christmas, with the malls decked with lights and decorations and the stores filled with gifts and so many reasons and encouragement to buy. As soon as Remembrance Day is over, everything from coffee cups to the music played in the malls suggests we have already arrived at Christmas Day. No wonder December can seem so overwhelming…
So today as we begin these four Sundays of preparation and penitence, we are encouraged to stop, to take a breath, and remember what it is we are getting ready for. For without Christ there is no season and we have no reason to send greetings or give gifts.
At this moment, we are also marking another starting again at St. James’ in a different sense, as we prepare for the induction of our new rector, Mother Amanda. The service taking place on Monday evening at 7pm. Although Mother Amanda is already well known to us, having been on the clergy staff for some years, this is a new beginning for her, and for us, as she formally assumes the cure of souls as rector and the varied and various roles that includes.
Today as we begin this new season of Advent, we pray for the coming of Christ. And we also pray for Mother Amanda, and our entire community, as tomorrow she is inducted by Archbishop John to lead our parish in her new role in our common life.
Father Stephen Rowe