A Pilgrim's Long Journey: Thanksgiving and the Approach of Advent

Thanksgiving week is approaching and this means two things to me. First, it means the convergence of the tribe of Jesse onto Dotson Mountain where the food will be plentiful and my heart will be full of joy as I gather with my family for my favorite of all holidays. It is my favorite because it is not commercialized. Thanksgiving weekend is about gathering, it is about laughing, playing, eating, and gathering some more, playing some more and……well eating. Secondly it means the new church year is approaching. Advent…..a time of waiting. Advent……beginning again. It is the new year of the church.

I recognize that the church has created a lot of rules and rituals, regulations and really a whole language that many people do not understand nor want to understand. I have had my share of grief at the hands of the church. The church has done much in the name of God that God never intended and that God is surely very disappointed in and angry about. Honestly when I think of all the things that have been done in the name of God it turns my stomach.

That being said, there is something about the rhythm of the liturgical calendar that brings comfort to me. I had never even heard the terms advent and lent in the church of my youth. Once I learned of them, they gave me moments of reset and reflection that were structured and I am one who finds comfort in structure and routine. I find comfort in ritual.

This year our church, Wellspring Congregation alongside Biltmore United Methodist, is doing a worship series entitled, How Does A Weary World Rejoice, put out by Sanctified art. In this series we will be exploring how we can experience joy in the midst of all the weariness of this world. It is hard these days. There is so much suffering around us. I am looking forward to focusing on joy during this advent season. To keep this theme of joy in focus I am going to be looking at the following resources: