The Church Calendar- Advent

As a child, one of the things that first drew me toward the traditions of the Church was the church year. It taught me to appreciate order and beauty in the proclamation of the Christian message. Over the years, the church calendar has often led me into periods of renewal as we have moved through the ecclesiastical seasons reflecting on the different themes of the Gospel.

During Advent. we begin the cycle anew. The glimmers of light from the prophets come to us sinners in our darkness and call us to repentance and renewal. No matter where we are in our Christian journey, the darkness of the fallen world and our fallen nature threaten to hide divine truth. Yet, the light still flickers, and we anticipate even greater light as we look forward to celebrating the Incarnation of the One who is the Light of the world.

"Almighty God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armour of light..." (Collect for Advent).