Advent is the time of journeys.
It is the time when we think about Mary and Joseph journeying to Bethlehem. It is the time of year when the Church begins it’s new year, where we begin the journey once again. A journey which will end with us triumphantly declaring Christ the king.
Often advent is a time of journeying for us. It is the frantic journey to Christmas, with all the demands that brings.
The frantic present buying, the hurried last minute dashed off work emails, the busy social calendars. December seems to bring a constant rush of stuff, which stops us from slowing down and taking stock. Advent should not be such a time – this week we have journeyed with the patriarchs, as we lit our first advent candle we journeyed with Abram and Sarai.
Their journey was one of unexpected joy, miraculous promises and future hope.
I will indeed bless you, and I will make your offspring as numerous as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore.
How easy it would have been to dismiss such a promise, how easy it is for us to forget what advent is all about. Our journey, like Abram and Sarai, is one filled with unexpected joy, miraculous promises and future hope. So wherever you find yourself this week remember that you do not journey alone.