happy new year.

Today marks the beginning of Advent. For four weeks the Church will anticipate the coming of the King, reflecting on poignant parts of this remarkable story of redemption.

I hope to write a weekly reflection for each week of this season. Tonight St. Brendan's joined with the greater Anglican Church to discuss waiting. We lit the candle of Hope, reflecting on patience for the great restoration Christ will one day bring.

For now, a prayer to begin this beautiful season:

Among the poor, among the proud,
among the persecuted,
among the privileged,
Christ is coming to make all things new.

In the private house, in the public place,
in the wedding feast,
in the judgment hall,
Christ is coming to make all things new.

With a gentle touch, with an angry word,
with a clear conscience,
with burning love,
Christ is coming to make all things new.

That the kingdom might come,
that the world might believe,
that the powerful might stumble,
that the hidden might be seen,
Christ is coming to make all things new.

Within us, without us, behind us, before us,
in this place, in every place,
for this time, for all time,
Christ is coming to make all things new. 

Amen.

not just a dinner.

This is my favorite weekend of the year. The weekend prior to Thanksgiving always carries so much anticipation. In college we anticipated Sabbath from class and the joy of having just a few weeks left until Winter Break. Last year I flew home on this day to a week-long vacation with the family--which provided a much-needed break from DC and perspective and preparation for big life changes.

Since the Parents moved to Cali this summer, I decided to host a dinner for all those unable to go home for break. My little brother is coming too, and I'm superduper excited. This and this will make an appearance on the dessert menu. Want to join?

I also love this season as next week starts ADVENT! YES! I'm so ready to start the rhythm of the Christmas season. Anticipation, expectation, deliverance, redemption. There is such joy during this time of year.

I also see great significance in making the season of Thanksgiving a time of intentional remembrance. For significant blessings and provisions, for dear friends and significant conversations, for the timing of God's grace or unexpected patience from a stranger. What a profound mystery to celebrate and give thanks right before entering the time of celebrating Advent. We remember how God has redeemed, with the hope and understanding that he will do so again.

Today, I am thankful. Today I am thankful for my roommates, for this beautiful home, for our neighbors in city. I am thankful for my faraway friends (Hannah, Roberts, Woods, Wells, High, Megs); you all are so near and dear to me. I am thankful for the way God has orchestrated the move to this great city and amazing organization. I am thankful for his perfect timing--for the seasons of the earth and the seasons of life. I am thankful for my new church community, for the amazing love they continually show, and for the children I'm so privileged to teach. I am thankful for my parents' move, for the new life of Modi, for Jenna and Nathan and Jonathan and how they continue to challenge me. I am thankful for the comfort of my bed and for the heat in this home. I take none of this for granted.

Lord, may we enter this gate to Advent with Thanksgiving in our hearts.