Advent is almost here, and we begin the Christmas journey again with a season of waiting. As the days grow darker, we draw closer to the arrival of the Light that turns the world upside down—or right-side up! The journey toward and beyond the manger is one of reversing expectations, encountering what we thought we already knew in brand new ways, and receiving good news in unexpected places.

So, with one foot in the prophecy of the Prophets and another in the Gospels, we journey together as our spirits wait to welcome the Christ child and carry hope, peace, joy, and love as we live as disciples who anticipate the now-and-not-yet return of God to our world.

• December 3 | Our Shocking Hope | Isaiah 64:1-9, Mark 13:24-37
• December 10 | Our Just Peace | Isaiah 40:1-11, Mark 1:1-8
• December 17 | Our Fierce Joy | Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, John 1:6-8, 19-28
• December 24 | Love that Transforms Us | Luke 1:26-38, Luke 1:46b-55