November 9, 2023
The brief time between the Feast of All Saints and the beginning of Advent is a mini-season of its own. It has sometimes been called “Little Lent” because of the judgement themes that run through the readings, but is more commonly called Kingdomtide. As Advent anticipates a new beginning, the lessons through these weeks anticipate the end of the world order as we know it and the coming rule of Christ as Lord of all. The season culminates, naturally enough, on Christ the King Sunday, the final Sunday of the liturgical year.
It is a time to remember that endings are holy because they make way for the new. I encourage you to use these weeks to let go of the year that is past. Give thanks for the blessings you have received and given. Accept forgiveness for those things you have done or left undone, clear out the clutter that has accumulated in your spiritual life, and put down the burdens that you are carrying and old habits that hold you back. In Advent we will watch for the new. Take some time now to let go of the old and make room.