Introducing our Advent Series: Out of Time

Hey there!

You know those calendar push notifications that always save our busy lives? 

Well, they're like a lifeline, reminding us of important birthdays, deadlines, and events that would have easily slipped our minds. It's like magic when that cheery chime goes off, and we rush to send that card, finish that assignment, or prepare for an event that somehow slipped our memory.

But hey, have you ever thought about Advent? It's like a push notification that appears in our Christian consciousness, reminding us that the day of the Lord is approaching. It's the time to plan something special! And it's not just about our typical human forgetfulness. As the liturgical year rushes towards its end and a new beginning, the Revised Common Lectionary readings dive deep into the concept of time. We're talking about the day of the Lord, God's time versus our time, and the unexplainable timing of it all.

The urgency surrounding the imminent day of the Lord is amplified by the way the Revised Common Lectionary itself plays with time. The gospel passages jump back and forth like someone desperately searching for the right track on a vinyl recording. One moment, Jesus speaks of a future day, and the next week, John the Baptist speaks of Jesus' arrival. Past and future collide in God's present, blurring the lines between Jesus' first and second comings. It's a whirlwind!

This whole season of Advent is weird sometimes. It's like a rollercoaster that leaves you feeling a little disoriented, and honestly, it feels like it's meant to be that way. God, who exists beyond time, is right there in the midst of it, affecting and being affected in our human experience of time.

So, you must be wondering, what is God doing with time and us? Our series, Out of Time, explores different responses inspired by the Revised Common Lectionary readings. We'll dive into themes like uncertain time, the relativity of time, our experiences of time, and the moments when time seems to slip away. Oh, and did I mention that we'll also explore the dreamlike qualities of time? It's going to be mind-blowing!

Mark your calendars for these dates:

• December 3 - Running Out of Time
• December 10 - Time Flies
• December 17 - Dreamlike Time
• December 24 - Out of Time
• Christmas Eve - No Time
• Christmas Day - The End Time is the Beginning.
  
  In a nutshell, this series aims to explore the two sides of being out of time. Advent reminds us that time is finite - there's a limit to how much time we have to reconcile, prepare, and make a change. But amidst this time crunch, there's God, completely outside of time. God's infinite being and infinite patience break through our fears, as He enters human time to be right there with us - Emmanuel, God-with-us.
  
  So, get ready for an incredible journey of exploration and reflection as we navigate the mysteries of Advent, waiting, time, and God. Fasten your seatbelts, because it's going to be one wild ride!