The season of Advent encourages a heightened sense of expectation—not unlike pregnancy—something wonderful is coming! God is going to set things right.

I suppose that just waiting for it to come, looking for it to come, praying for it to come and looking forward with open hands is not a bad stance to take. But their passive approach is not Jesus’ approach, and it is not his teaching for those who would follow him. Jesus invites us into a new kind of life, gifted by God’s loving presence, the Holy Spirit. We are challenged to open these gifts and to use them now, while we are waiting with expectation. Hence, our advent theme: “Open Before Christmas”.

There is a tradition that certain Christmas gifts are to be opened before Christmas because these gifts are meant to enhance these holy days. Likewise, during these four weeks of Advent we will look upon four gifts meant to be opened now: Kindness, Hospitality, Service and Love.

How seriously you take this en-courage-ment is up to you. I know it does take courage to resolutely take up new ways of being in this world, and to let go of our fears, anxiety, habitual reactions, defensiveness, negativity and old wounds. But it is possible, very possible, by just inviting the Christ Spirit to abide in us daily, and by opening and using the Spirit’s gifts.

So come on, open them up, Merry Advent will then truly lead to a Merry Christmas—and it will create a love centered fellowship here at Galilee.