ADVENTure

By: Steve Richardson

Week One

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You show me the path of life. In your presence, there is fullness of joy.

Psalm 16:11

Call it a quirk, but I’m easily captivated by wordplays, puns, alliterations, and other linguistic curiosities. So, at this season, pardon me for being unable to escape the linkage between “Advent” and “adventure.”

After all, Advent is a journey. Not a physical journey across deserts or oceans or mountains, rather it’s a spiritual journey. Every spiritual step we take on this journey leads us closer to God, closer to God’s Kingdom, and closer to the fulfillment of the hope, peace, joy, and love we restlessly seek.

The Advent venture, like other adventures, offers opportunities for newness, discovery, learning, and enrichment, and sometimes it brings us surprising encounters that transform our souls, deepening our sense of being children of God as sisters and brothers in Christ Jesus. It’s another reminder to expect the unexpected when we allow God to lead us.

Mary and Joseph embarked on quite the adventure when they said “yes” to God’s plan. The shepherds left their fields and flocks, following an angel’s message. The magi set out across the vast wilderness, chasing a star. None of them knew exactly where their paths would lead. Yet they showed the willingness to step out towards something new and wonderful.

Advent invites us to our own adventurous journey of faith. Beyond lighting candles and counting down days, it’s about opening our hearts and minds to the new places the Spirit leads us.

Bon voyage, and let the journey begin!

Prayer

God of grace and glory, guide us in discovering sacred blessings of this season. Fill our hearts and minds with newness. With curiosity. With fresh insights. With transformation. With wonder. With hope, peace, joy and love. Amen