27/12!
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
Advent is a season of anticipation and waiting. We wait for something we sense is already somehow waiting for us: something already present, and yet, something waiting, yearning, longing to be born fresh and anew for and in each of us. It’s an expectant waiting we practice, involving not so much will as willingness—a willingness to receive the new, the unexpected. It requires a decision to be open to the ways God is and will be at work in our lives. Advent is an adventure and we have a part to play -- waiting, opening, staying watchful, being prepared to receive. Something new is coming. Will we be ready to receive it?
This year, I want to invite you to share in a community effort to make Advent a real time of preparing to receive God’s most precious gift. “27/12,” is rather simple, for the 27 days of Advent , November 28- December 24, each of us is invited to give away something each day. A hug, a note, a smile, your time and attention—it’s not about spending money, it is about giving yourself. Some of our giving should be well-planned and intentional, some should be spontaneous as opportunities arise. Some of our connections will be up close and in person, some should be anonymous. It’s not about us. It is about giving. Our hope, our prayer, our intention is to prepare our hearts and our world to receive the magnificent gift God is waiting to share.
Then, on Christmas Day our focus will change just a bit from preparation to active receiving. What does it mean to receive the love, joy and peace that God offers and that we celebrate each year in the Christ Child? Each day throughout the 12 days of Christmas you will be invited in prayer, thought and deed to better understand, receive and share God’s most precious gift.
Our 27/12 adventure will be supported by daily devotions, a blog and Facebook page, all accessible through our website. Hard copies of the devotions will also be available.
Please join us and invite family and friends to join too as we wait in active preparation to receive and be made new. O come, O come, Emmanuel!
Grace and Peace,
Rich
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