Advent Pastor Statement

Consider this Advent devotional an invitation to dream with God. Use your holy imagination to envision new possibilities, new creation, and a future that is different from the present, for yourself and our world. The fear, hatred and despair of our current days can infect and overwhelm us. We need the Holy Spirit to transform us into compassionate, generous, and merciful people. Let us receive what God has to offer.

The prophets have always drawn us to a future transformed by God’s presence. Advent reminds us that we worship Emmanuel, God with us. God for us. We see God’s dream for humanity become a reality in Jesus. He embodies God’s dream for us, and he teaches us how to dream with God. Imagine a world radically different from the present, a world characterized by love, justice, and peace. Let us go there together.

We have designed this Advent devotional to help you prepare for the celebration of God’s arrival and the return of Jesus Christ for the renewal of all things. Each week will have its own section with a theme, and each day, except Sunday, will include a Scripture passage and a reflection created by one of our own Gathering Church folks.

We hope this Advent devotional helps you receive compassion and mercy from our generous God. May the Holy Spirit transform us into a new creation as we participate in God’s dream for the world: the reconciliation of all things.

For in Christ all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,

and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things.

Colossians 1:19-20a

- Curt Lowndes