Advent 3

Our advent reading from church today:

L: Advent is?
C: A time of preparation.
L: What do you mean? We have been preparing...baking, shopping and decorating.
C: Not that kind of preparing...
L: What kind then?
C: Preparing our hearts to receive the Advent news.
L: And that news would be?
C: That God brings us Hope, Peace and Joy!
L: Have you read the paper lately - where do you find that?
C: In the one for whom we wait, Jesus the babe of Bethlehem.
L: But I'm not ready...
C: It's okay, slow down, take a breath and celebrate these Advent Days.
L: Days that we celebrate Hope, Peace and Joy, yes?
C: Yes!
L: Even when there are so many problems?
C: Especially then, that is why God sent us Jesus - the light in our darkness.
L: Speaking of light we'd better get these candles lit.
C: The first candle is called HOPE!
L: The second candle is called PEACE!
C: The third candle is called JOY!
L: Let's pray that...
C: God will fill our hearts with joy!

Advent is the time of preparation. I wish for all of you a chance to slow down, take a breath and celebrate the joy of advent.