Advent marks the beginning of a new church year. It is the season when we prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of Christ. Beginning four Sundays before Christmas, Advent is a time of anticipation, reflection, and hope.

We remember the longing of God's people for the promised Messiah, celebrate Christ's presence among us today, and look forward with hope to Christ's coming again. While the world around us often rushes toward Christmas, Advent invites us to slow down, make room for reflection, and pay attention to how God is at work in our lives and in the world. Through the themes of hope, peace, joy, and love, we are invited to prepare not only to celebrate the birth of Jesus, but also to recognize and welcome Christ into our lives each day.

Advent can also be an opportunity to develop or deepen a daily prayer practice. There are many devotionals available to help guide our exploration of the season. Forward Movement has a page dedicated to Advent resources and partners with AdventWord, an effort that invites us to share our faith through regular posts centered on a word for reflection. Another resource we hope to make available in printed copies is *Naming Jesus: A Family-Friendly Advent Devotional* by Salt. These are just a couple of ways to bring the themes of Advent into our daily lives.

At Good Sam, we have several opportunities to acknowledge and lean into this season together. Our Sunday worship will be infused with the themes and traditions of Advent. This year, we will also have a different preacher each week, offering a variety of voices and perspectives while helping us reflect more deeply on this familiar season.

All of these practices can fit into the rhythms of our everyday lives with just a bit of intentionality. If you would like to go a little deeper, I encourage you to consider attending the Diocesan Advent Retreat & Quiet Day. We also have a short video on our YouTube channel that offers more details about the retreat and what you might expect if you attend.

On the second Sunday of Advent, December 6, we will also celebrate St. Nicholas. This is a wonderful opportunity, particularly for families and children, to explore the story of St. Nicholas and better understand the connection between his generosity and the deeper meaning of this season.

That same day, at 5 pm, we will hold our third pilot service as we continue exploring the possibility of a new worship offering at Good Sam. These pilot services are an opportunity to experiment with a different style of worship, with the hope of creating something that will resonate with and attract more students and young adults to our community. Everyone is welcome to come check it out!

We are also hoping to offer an Advent pageant in partnership with the Newman Center at 11:30 am on the fourth Sunday of Advent, December 20. If you are interested in helping or participating, please let Julie Marner know.

Finally, we are planning a Blue Christmas service in partnership with the Newman Center. While this season is joyful for many, we recognize that it can also be difficult or painful. For those who are experiencing grief, loss, loneliness, or other challenges, the holidays can bring feelings that don't always fit with the celebrations happening around us. This service will offer a space to acknowledge those feelings, come together in prayer, and find comfort in God's presence and in one another. The Blue Christmas service will take place on the evening of December 22, stay tuned for more information.

There are many ways to observe Advent, both individually and as a community. My hope is that we will make room for this season, embracing its invitation to slow down, reflect, and prepare our hearts for Christ.

Blessings,

Paul