Advent by Pastor Scott Anderson

The season of Advent marks the beginning of the church year and comprises the four weeks before Christmas. The church has observed a season of preparation before Christmas since the appearance of regulations on fasting issued by Bishop Perpetuus of Tours in 490 C.E. The principle themes of the season are:

• hope
• darkness / light
• repentance
• watchfulness
• preparation
• expectation of the incarnation of Christ on Christmas
• anticipation of the fullness of time at Christ's second coming

The season is marked with the use of the color blue for paraments and vestments. Blue is the color of hope.

Advent is the season of hope and I have great hope for what God is doing with us at St. Paul's. As I reflect on the year and all of the joys it has brought, I find myself anticipating the hope we have in the coming year and the hope we have in Jesus. Our true hope is built on the realization that Christ will come and the world will be made right. So, as we head into this season of reflection and hope, let us prepare and anticipate, let us plan for the future knowing that our future is held in the loving arms of Jesus.

May the God of hope fill you with all good things in this new church year and always.