Even before the Halloween pumpkin is off our porches, Christmas decorations hang from the ceilings of local retailers. Then the marketing frenzy of Black Friday begins and must-have holiday deals populate the media. The advent season, meant to prepare for the birth of Christ, can be lost in the holiday storm. Sometimes the whole point of Christmas can be forgotten.

We can't remove the commercialization of Christmas, and we all know the season will be frenzied. But, in all our busyness we can find time to rest and reflect. We can regain perspective, and remember why we engage in this season every year. Christ came into the world 2000 years ago as it was, and each advent we can bring Christ into OUR world.

St. John’s has put together a series of vignettes of Christmas preparations and experiences by parishioners who are acting on the true meaning of Christmas. In an Advent Calendar you get a treat with every new day. So every day of December leading up to Christmas, instead of a piece of chocolate, you will share an advent experience with someone in our community. SO...

Pause, Anticipate, Reflect. Take Back the Season.