We've officially entered the season of Advent! As Christians we recognize that we do not enter the season of Christmas until December 25th ~ despite all cultural evidence to the contrary. The Christmas Season lasts from December 25th until January 6th which is Epiphany. Advent is our season of preparation for Christmas, much like Lent is the season of preparation for Easter.

So how do we prepare? In our Gospel lesson this Sunday we have John the Baptist calling us to repentance. "Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight." Repentance is acknowledging and turning away from sin. Instead of just a season for shopping and baking, Advent is a season to prepare our hearts to meet the Christ Child anew through prayer, repentance and devotion. In this way, Advent is a penitential season.

There is an interesting website called "Advent Conspiracy" that challenges all Christians be mindful of their (our) Advent preparations. The creators of this movement ask, "What if Christmas became a wold changing event again?"

Don't worry! I'm not advocating that we get rid of all gift giving and festivities of the season, but I do think we can take a closer look at our Advent preparations. Christmas is about hope, peace, joy and love. What matters most is not what we put under our Christmas Trees, but what we find in ~ and share from ~ our hearts! Amen?