Second Tuesday in Advent

What follows is an article from the December edition of "Faith ALIVE!" - the newsletter of Faith Lutheran Church here in Phoenix. Pastor Renee Geiger captures a lot of how I think and feel about this season of Advent. I know lots of folks looked at me sort of cross-eyed on Sunday when I reminded people that the first day of Christmas is Christmas, which means all the days until then are preparation.
Maybe I'm feeling a little less prepared for the celebrations than usual this year, because I am wanting to savor every moment of Advent time. The journey of Advent resonates with me a lot this year. So slow down, and breathe, and enjoy the rain (or snow, if you live some place colder than Phoenix).

Pastor Renee writes:
Advent. I am amazed at how many people would join me in saying that this is their favorite season. For some reason, I want to become a little more poetic, more introspective, even more quiet at Advent, which is rather ironic since it's when things speed up all the more with shopping, cooking, cards and glitter.
Maybe, those of us who are Advent people think about the simplicity of the story of Jesus' birth, the visitation of the angels, the silent and holy night, and we somehow want to get ready - ready in a deep and real way for that which God, wrapped in human flesh, offers.
In worship planning we strive for more "space" and simplicity that might hold moments of silence - just to listen to God's Word, absorb the music and anticipate what God is saying to us in the Christ child.
Will we be able to take time to stop and consider another vision of life? How important this is for a world that is longing for salvation at this time, with all the realities around us. In Advent we will hear words of God's intention for a new creation, and we will hear words that send a proclamation that we are to wake up, stay alert, and repent as we are warned of the coming thief in the night. Ineed, this is a time when the entire world needs to be alert to what is happening to God's creation, and in human need and poverty.
Each Sunday we will light our Advent candles in awaiting the redemption of ALL of God's creation and ALL of God's people.
In these Advent waves of momentum and preparation, perhaps we will be able to hear the clear cry of a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes entering into the cry of the world. And that cry reminds us that we are not alone. Immanuel, God with us, also cries a deafening shout of slavation, yes, even in the silence, even in war, even in melting glaciers, even in injustice, even with the very poor and the very thirsty.
Oh God, keep us courageously alert and at peace as we move into your vision. Help us to create space where we are not afraid or too preoccupied to hear what you are saying to us as we wait and prepare.