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Today is the first Sunday of Advent. Advent is a time when it is good to concentrate not on all of the commercial things about Christmas, but why the birth of Jesus, his willingness to become enfleshed and join us humans so that he might save us is so important. It is a way to get away from the Santa Claus culture and think about why this is so special, why, as the old slogan goes, Jesus is the reason for the season.

I wrote this prayer a while back for this time of the year:

O Lord God, our Father Almighty,
You who were pleased that your only begotton Son
should take flesh from a virgin
and be made man for our salvation,
You who sent your angel Gabriel to Mary
with the good tidings of his conception,
You were the one who had decided that before all ages
that she should be the instrument of such a great mystery.

Like Gabriel did of old,
announce to our souls the good news,
the glad tidings of the forgiveness of sins
through your grace and mercy and and love.
Speak peace to your people,
Help us walk the path that will make us well pleasing in your sight
through your kindness and mercy,
and may our feet never stray
from the road to your heavenly kingdom
opened up to us through the mercy and love of Jesus your Son
for a sad and suffering mankind.

O Lord, during this advent season,
soften our hearts,
open our eyes,
and may we ponder the truth of a God who truly loves us,
this day, and always.

Amen.