Advent

Jesus is questioned by what authority he is doing the work of healing and reconciliation - which is the work we are ALL called to.

Mary said, "Yes," to an invitation that was confusing and seemingly impossible. We are called to similar inivations in our own lives.

In order to live into the vision of turning "swords into plowshares," we will need to commit to the difficult work of peacemaking.

Through the birth of Jesus, God did the unexpected and introduced wild possibilities into history and changed everything.

Throughout Advent, bibical characters are asked to trust in a future that they are not certain about. Can we, too, share that faith?

The Advent season is about incredible things happening in history and the invitation to participate in incredible things happening now.

Advent is a time of slowing down and refocusing. It is also a time of hope for us - knowing that God is at work in the world and in our lives.

While we may be on the other side of the Christmas holiday, the "work" of Christmas is something that we can be part of all year long.

Advent celebrates God's using ordinary people to change the course of history if they can remember to trust their own experience.

Our happiness lies in our ability to be in the here and now - dropping our worries and not being in a hurry.

Even in the midst of personal and collective struggle, we can find an Advent joy that invites us into God's dream for the world.