Prelude to New Beginnings

See, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth, I tell you of them. (Isaiah 40.9)

Rev. Alfred McBride invites us to consider Advent as the season when

Each year, God asks us to shed one more coat of awareness, one more dream state and come alive to the vision of God’s plan for each of us and the world-at-large.

In our coming alive to God’s plan, we are challenged to view Advent’s progress in a singular fashion. It is the prelude to new beginnings, the time we anticipate new life made possible by Christ’s appearance.

Last Sunday, our pastor noted how much of Christmas is laced with nostalgia. We revive favorite carols, decorations, and traditions as a means of hanging onto the past and taking comfort in continuity. And there is value in that. Yet we can't forget this season’s primary focus is newness. God is declaring new things, telling us of them before they spring forth. The Advent shedding Rev. McBride speaks of is how we make room for God's new vision for our lives and our world.

Former things are now behind us. Our Advent journey leads to a fresh start.