So, we're a little behind on our Advent. But we're a little less behind today. We just finished our first two days of our Advent family worship. We talked about St. Nicholas, about how he saved some boys from being pickled by an evil innkeeper, and we discussed salvation and forgiveness of sins. We lit our first candle, and we sang together. Houdin knew today's Advent song, though none of the rest of us did. He has such a fine voice, that boy.
And then, we put the "ornament" on the Advent wreath. Only twenty days until Christmas!
Tomorrow, we will join some friends at the monastery for a celebration of St. Nicholas' day. The monastery is a new discovery of ours, and I really enjoy it. A simple yet dedicated service filled with more Scripture than I've heard in any church in years, the Greek monastery gives me a feeling of being connected to not just a Christ Jesus, but an historical Jesus, who dwelt among men. The deliberateness of the monastic service is comforting. While it is long and repetitive, it's also moving and thought-provoking. Afterwards tomorrow, I'm told, the children will gather around one of the monks and receive golden chocolate coins, cookies and stories about St. Nicholas. I'm looking forward to it.
Blessings!
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