Dear Christ Church,
There are now loads of Advent resources available, but nothing I know of quite like the Advent Reflections (scroll to bottom of the link to subscribe) produced by the Matthew 25 Initiative (M25i). These are beautiful and thoughtfully created reflections that help us to keep company with those who are most desperate for the kingdom to come: the vulnerable and marginalized that Mary, with Jesus in her womb, sang about in her Magnificat. These reflections are tonic in our culture that has otherwise made this a fatuous season.
Another way you can engage Advent from this angle is with a live “St. Nicholas Webinar: Gary Haugen of International Justice Mission,” co-hosted by M25i and the Anglican Relief and Development Fund (ARDF), and facilitated by Fr. Bill Haley of In the Coracle. Lastly, Christ Church Austin has gathered some Advent Resources to help you watch and wait for Immanuel, God with Us. This Sunday you will notice multiple different liturgical elements, including the smell of incense, that mark this season of anticipation.
Lastly, this Sunday is our annual Ceili! After the second service, we’ll flip the room into a banquet hall, enjoy samples of over 30 chili competition entries, listen and dance to live Irish music, and . . . some other surprises of the day. Who can you invite to church and Ceili this Sunday? It’s a fantastic opportunity to make a bold invitation to someone far from Christ, or who does not have a church home.
An Irish Blessing for Your Weekend:
Go n-éirí an bóthar leat
May the road rise to meet you
Go raibh an ghaoth go brách ag do chúl
May the wind be always at your back
Go lonraí an ghrian go te ar d’aghaidh
May the sun shine warm upon your face
Go dtite an bháisteach go mín ar do pháirceanna
May the rains fall softly upon your fields
Agus go mbuailimid le chéile arís,
And until we meet again
Go gcoinní Dia i mbos A láimhe thú.
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
Peace,
Cliff+