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The whole purpose of Advent is to be for a moment fully and consciously Before Christ. In that place of darkness and waiting, we look for his coming and do not presume too much that we already know or have it.
 
Malcolm Guite, Waiting on the Word

Let us prepare the way of the Lord
Advent begins on Sunday, November 28 and ends December 24.
 
This season marks the start of the Church's year. Contrary to popular practice, Advent is not “the Christmas season," but rather a distinct time set aside to “prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” (Isaiah 40:3)
 
Advent reminds us that in our present day and age, we are still Before Christ, perpetually inhabiting a second Advent as we await the return of the promised King.
 
When we skip straight to Christmas, we ignore the reality of our time and place - and the very real longings that come with it. Traditionally, this is time to read of the eschaton; to heed John the Baptist's call to “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand;” to remember Jesus's exhortation to stay alert, for “the day and the hour no one knows.” (Matthew 24:36)
 
The bridegroom is coming. Keep your lamps burning. We will be feasting soon.
 
Breathe
 
Inhale: Marantha
 
Exhale: Come, Lord Jesus
 
of Revelation 22:20
Pray
Hasten, O Father, the coming of your kingdom; and grant that we your servants, who now live by faith, may with joy behold your Son at his coming in glorious majesty; even Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer
     Light
The Advent wreath as we know it dates back to 16th century Germany, though there is evidence that wreaths of candles were being used during Advent as early as the Middle Ages.
 
These wreaths are usually composed of four candles, and one (more) candle is lit each Sunday of Advent (an optional fifth, white candle can be added to the middle of the wreath to be lit on Christmas Eve). Your “wreath” can be an elaborate affair, but it can also be as simple as four tapers on your dining table.
 
While there are a number of rubrics you can use to assign meaning to each week's candles, originally each candle was a basic symbol unto itself, lit to add a little more light to your space - and perhaps to your heart - during this season of darkness and waiting.
 
As the virgins take their lamps to await the bridegroom's arrival, so we maintain the light that we may be ready to attend to the wedding feast of the lamb.
 
Light your candles each week and prepare the way of the Lord.
 

Bonus
Advent is such a rich season that it was hard to pare down my thoughts and recommendations to the usually simple formula of this email. So here are a few bonus resources for entering well into the Advent season:
 

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