And So It Begins
From the first Sunday of Advent until New Year’s Day, I drink my morning coffee from a china cup decorated with poinsettias. This special cup belonged to a member of Bill’s family, and when I use it I happily remember the Christmas gatherings at her house.
It’s that time of year again, and as we take our favorite Christmas items from shelves and closets, all of us are looking back and remembering. But we should also be looking ahead—because Advent is a season of beginnings. Though it lives on the last page of the calendar, Advent is the beginning of the church year.
Why does the church have its own “year”? Because we mark the passing of time by walking through the life of Christ and the church. The church year begins on the first Sunday of Advent, with a voice crying, “Prepare the way of the Lord!” Then the church year takes us from the anticipation of Jesus’ birth, all the way through his passion, death, and resurrection. Next comes the birth of the church at Pentecost, followed by a long season of celebration and reflection (“Ordinary Time”). The church year ends with Reign of Christ Sunday, celebrating Christ’s sovereign rule and the presence of the Kingdom of God. That’s a lot to look forward to!
What did you say when you turned the calendar to December? Perhaps it was, “It’s almost over”—as you prepare to exit a year in which things may not have turned out as you’d hoped? Or maybe, “Here it comes!”—as you prepare yourself for the season of Candle Tea and Christmas lovefeasts?
How about this: “And so it begins!” Not the hard work of bringing Christmas joy to our many visitors; not the busy schedules of Christmas shopping and social activities; but a real beginning, in which God is making all things new. It begins: God incarnate, breaking into human history. It begins: the walk from the manger to the cross. It begins: God with us, among us, for us. Every step of the church year is a chance to walk in newness with Christ; and it all begins with Advent.
It’s a calendar-year tradition to make New Year’s Resolutions on Jan. 1. But Advent is a great time to make things new in the life of the church. What is your resolution for the new church year?
When I sit down with my special Christmas cup in 2016, I hope I will look back on this church year and see much good work, many good relationships, and much, much grace of God in the life of Home Moravian Church. And then I will look again ahead, with joy, to what God will do in the church year ahead. Prepare the way of the Lord—for so it begins!
–Ginny
