This Sunday marks the beginning of a new church year, and with this comes infinite possibilities. In the season of Advent, we remind ourselves of God’s constant and faithful presence as we prepare to celebrate the annual remembrance of our Lord’s nativity and remind ourselves that we live each day in hopeful expectation of our Lord’s glorious return. 

Each and every day offers us the opportunity for something new to emerge. If we have the courage to step onto new ground—even though the destination is still unclear—we trust in God’s love to hold us and sustain us on the way so that we may find our souls enlivened and spirits renewed. Advent is a time to “awaken [our] spirit to adventure” and to “hold nothing back”—God’s hope and love, joy and peace await.

Advent Blessings,

Paul+

For a New Beginning
In out-of-the-way places of the heart,
Where your thoughts never think to wander,
This beginning has been quietly forming,
Waiting until you were ready to emerge.
For a long time it has watched your desire,
Feeling the emptiness growing inside you,
Noticing how you willed yourself on,
Still unable to leave what you had outgrown.
It watched you play with the seduction of safety
And the gray promises that sameness whispered,
Heard the waves of turmoil rise and relent,
Wondered would you always live like this.
Then the delight, when your courage kindled,
And out you stepped onto new ground,
Your eyes young again with energy and dream,
A path of plenitude opening before you.
Though your destination is not yet clear
You can trust the promise of this opening;
Unfurl yourself into the grace of beginning
That is at one with your life’s desire.
Awaken your spirit to adventure;
Hold nothing back, learn to find ease in risk;
Soon you will be home in a new rhythm,
For your soul senses the world that awaits you.
~ John O’Donohue