As we move into another Advent season, we are confronted in our collect and epistle with the images of time and of light and darkness. We ask that we may cast away the works of darkness and put on the armor of light in the time of this mortal life. St. Paul speaks of the awaking out of sleep, the night being far spent and the time of our salvation at hand. Continue reading “Reflections on the First Sunday in Advent”
Reflections on the Season of Advent
Advent has challenges for us, which seem to increase every year. I remember over 40 years ago one of my first “children’s sermons” at the first church I served in Arkansas. I wasn’t too savvy about such things, and began the sermon on 1 Advent with a question: “Who can tell me what season this is?” A young nimrod raised his hand, and offered “It’s duck season, Father!” Well, I couldn’t argue with that, but I never appreciated the practice of getting up before dawn to sit in the cold waiting for a duck to pass within reach of your shotgun. It always seemed just an excuse to try to keep yourself warm by imbibing other “spirits”.
I later realized he had given a spiritual answer after all – Advent really is “duck” season. Continue reading “Reflections on the Season of Advent”