The word "Advent" comes from a Latin word that means "to draw near." That is what we are doing with the Advent season, drawing near to the coming of Christ. But as most of us associate Advent with the first coming of Christ, perhaps the more important focus of the Advent season is the anticipation of Christ's return. While we don't cower in shadows or hide in sanctuaries impatiently awaiting the second coming of Christ, we are to live our lives prepared for when he does come - and the words of Jesus today in Luke's gospel advise us to do just that. So as we begin a new liturgical year, let us also draw near in anticipation to the return of Christ.
Recorded at Hudson UMC on November 29, 2015