Theologian Paul Tillich said that the most painful human reality is that we don't know, yet must choose...I would allow that the most daunting question in my own life is, who will Christ find, when Christ finds me at the last day?  So to you, my beloved community, know that at each moment, we choose; and that at any moment, Christ is by your side, peering into your heart of choices...what will be revealed? This is Advent, that time of waiting and choosing and revealing -- a threshold place, a marker, that we visit every year, if we choose, to seek and plumb the depths of our soul to see who we are, as God's beloved.

Advent means letting go of all the stuff that gets in the way of life, that keeps us from seeing and appreciating and celebrating one another and God in the midst of this world we share.  Advent is a reminder that love divine is about to knock on the doors of our hearts, ready or not. Lions CAN lie down with lambs, donkeys are clearing a way to the barn, and holy night and stars are moving through the galaxy so that they will shine over a moon-lit cradle. The time is just around the corner.  And this child who waits to be born among us will change all that we are, and all that we ever do.  In the darkness of Advent, hear Jesus' word: "Keep awake!" "Be ready!" For Advent is underway; God is coming towards us even as we speak, full of grace and longing for us to become who we were made to be - children of light, and love, justice and peace.  Jesus already is journeying toward us, full of grace and longing for all God's creation.  O come, let us adore him!