And so it starts! The holiday season is upon us even if not yet official; it officially begins on the day after Thanksgiving. I am quite aware that many stores have begun their advertising and their stores are already decorated for Christmas. The usual radio stations have begun their Christmas music weeks ago and of course will end at midnight on Christmas day. All of that makes me crazy. But, I am a liturgist and love the cycle of the church year with all of its wonderful opportunites for waiting and watching and preparing prior to celebrating.

This week we will gather to celebrate Thanksgiving. And while our culture might try to rush the season and push us beyond this holiday; I urge you to take the time to just stop and remember and give thanks! There is so very much for us to be grateful for and we fall so short of expressing our gratitude to God or to the ones we love and gather with this week. Give thanks with a grateful heart......give thanks!

And then the great church season of Advent begins on Sunday. It is a time for waiting and watching and preparing. In the midst of the hurry and the muchness of the next few weeks, Advent affords us the chance to stop and wait; knowing that something wonderful is coming. The Christ who came in history is coming anew into our hearts on this Christmas day 2009. The promise of a world of peace and justice, a world of goodwill for all of God's children, is renewed in each of us. We carry that hope and that promise to a New Year: "thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth..."

It is my prayer for each of you that this holiday season is filled with great gratitude, enormous hope and overflowing joy for the wonders that God has done, will do and is doing for you and those you love.