We come to the end of the liturgical year with the celebration of the Reign of Christ this Sunday. However, most of us are by now thinking ahead to Thanksgiving that is the following Thursday. I know that I am already behind in planning out the Thanksgiving dinner much less doing the many errands that still need my attention. My oldest daughter is coming home from college early next week and there is still a growing mound of dust mites in her room. The bathrooms are in need of a good scrub and the dogs keep dragging dried dead leaves into the house so that I am seriously considering getting a rake for the kitchen. Yet the church beckons us to focused on our soul work and not let the busyness of the holidays overshadow the sacredness of the days ahead.
This Sunday not only ends the long season of Pentecost that started last May, but it also marks the conclusion of our church year. Together we have heard the story of Jesus and have been invited to live as faithful disciples. So, how did we do? Do we have a deeper sense of Christ in our lives? Are we more focused on living out the mission of the church? Is our community a place that nurtures and challenges us? Do we greet each day yearning to see glimpses of God? Are we filled with thanksgiving for all the gifts that we have received from God?
The good news is that no matter how faithfully we succeeded or failed, we are invited to start again. So a few days after Thanksgiving when we gather with family and friends and indulge in a great feast and express our thanks for all of God’s blessings, the church invites us to begin a new church year. December 1st is Advent I, the season that prepares us for the celebration of Christmas. Advent often seems to sneak up on us as it usually begins on the weekend following Thanksgiving. So here is something that you can do for yourself and your family. The Church Publishing is offering an app (It's Advent!) for you to download on your iPad, tablet, or phone (iOS7) for $.99. Just like the Advent Calendars that Becky Hudspeth creates for our children (you still have time to put these together at the church), this app allows you to have a daily devotional at your fingertips and remember to enjoy this wonderful season.
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May we all have a peaceful and holy Advent and a great start to our new church year.
Mary Grace+
