Hope and Surprise: Reflections for the Season of Advent

Here begins the shortest post I have ever written, and likely the shortest ever. (I hear no complaints.)

What a pleasure it has been to craft reflections for our Canadian Anglican Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund for Advent 2024. Recently renamed Accompanying Hope, the agency has a long history of supporting relief and development work globally through Canadian Church partners since 1957. In the past I have provided liturgy and resources for the Season of Creation; this is my first attempt at writing reflections.

My editor, Suzanne, described the contributions as “insightful, accessible, human, and humane.”  I like her assessment; I hope you find a similar enthusiasm and will find the reflections encouraging and enjoyable as we explore Advent together while celebrating the work of Accompanying Hope.

My own memories of Advent go back to my time as a boy chorister in Victoria. From the darkened church we processed (holding real taper candles with real dripping wax) through the nave singing the Advent responsory:

“I look from afar, and lo,
I see the power of God coming,
and a cloud covering the whole earth.”

For some time I viewed Advent solely as a precursor to Christmas, though in later years came to appreciate the season as a unique Adventure in God and Christ. So many comings, historic and future; so many ways in which God-in-Christ accompanies us on our own journeys; so many ways that justice is sought for those maligned, despised, ignored, or persecuted; so many ways that our imaginations are stretched, literally beyond belief; so many promises made to God, to us, to each other, and to all Creation.

You can sign up to receive daily reflections via email HERE You will then receive an email in your INBOX very early on the morning of each day. Bring your fairly-traded coffee.

You can receive a booklet containing all reflections as a PDF document after December 1 HERE

You can view highlights from a recent interview HERE

Please share this blog and the invitation widely. And thank you again, to Suzanne, Janice and the team for your invitation to share with you. I enjoyed this project very much. Every blessing to Accompanying Hope in the year ahead.