The season of Advent sirs up so much in us. Some of the feelings and emotions are happy and welcome, while others are full of guilt and grief, not as welcome. It is a blend of our spiritual longings. Much of what we experience can’t be named or described. We long to glean some truth we can hang our hat on in the mystery of how God stirs us.

We also might be struggling with how we are attending to our spiritual life this season of Advent. We fear we are not adequately preparing in the right, essential way. We prepare to receive born-again Christ among, yet that God-event is so pure and holy that we grasp to apprehend and understand it. Our thoughts and actions can seem heavy, dark, full of despair. Our missteps bring on more guilt and unworthiness. We curse ourselves for feeling apathetic, even angry for reasons that escape us.

In Advent 2020, I think we need more than ever the practice of self-examination, reflection, spiritual connection, and prayer that undergirds all of it. This might be a good season to cultivate a spiritual friendship with someone. It is vital for soul survival. Even in a glum and gloomy year of pandemic we must attend to our needed blend of community, solitude, study, and service. Each one comes together to form our spiritual identity, our gifts for drawing closer to God. In this life-season of uncertainty mixed with hopeful expectation, I pray that you will grasp and open the gift of God’s unconditional love and let it free you from pressure and anxiety. Our spirits long for the living God, and our souls rejoice from the refreshment we get along the way.

Pastor Art