Advent is a season of endings and beginnings. As the calendar year comes to a close, a new church year begins. Christ’s birth ushers us into new ways of living and loving; and yet, the world as we know it spins madly on. In many ways, pregnant Mary was surrounded by endings—large and small, personal and political. But Mary proclaimed hope in a God who was and is making all things new. Christ’s birth offered a beautiful new beginning for shepherds and Magi alike—all the while, King Herod tried to bring Christ’s story to a violent end.

When we ourselves navigate seasons filled with endings and beginnings, we need reminders. We need words that can feel like steady ground, like a path for our feet to find as we step forward into the unknown.

This Advent series is filled with blessings. While they may feel almost simplistic--like words we offer to children--in reality, they are words we need to hear again and again throughout life as we begin a new season. May they claim you amidst whatever endings and beginnings you find yourself navigating.

You can also listen to the audio version of these sermons at Apple Podcasts or Spotify Podcasts

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