Hello Gathering Church,

Yesterday we joined together to celebrate the third Sunday of Advent. We were invited to imagine the shepherds’ experience of being surrounded by a host of angels singing praises to God, proclaiming the good news of the birth of Jesus, on an ordinary evening in the ordinary role of watching their sheep.

This week, we are invited to prepare ourselves for encountering Jesus in the ordinary times of our days.

We are invited to be attentive to seeing the extraordinary work of God all around us.

We are invited to build a firm foundation of Hope.

What if hope is not a flimsy emotion dependent on outcomes, but a robust spiritual practice? Could we think of hope like a muscle we can flex and strengthen?  (A Sanctified Art)

And what if Advent is the beginning of God’s Hope Initiative?  “I was taught that the birth of Jesus announced by the angels meant HOPE had at last landed on earth.  No one noted what seems to be clear to me now: advent speaks to the arrival of God’s Hope Initiative, the beginning of the campaign.”  (Kelley Nikondeha)

This week we are encouraged to cultivate a spirit of attentiveness to Hope in our lives. Pause throughout your day and note how God is with you, what He is doing and how might you strengthen your hope muscle. 

May the steady flame of hope renew your courage and inspire you to be attentive to hope in this extraordinary story of Emmanuel.

I look forward to worshipping with you this Sunday, where we will join in rejoicing together.

Catherine