On the second Sunday of Advent, Rev. Cari picked up the second posture of Julian of Norwich’s four-posture prayer: Allow. The texts for the day were Isaiah 40:1-11 and Mark 1:1-8, which she wove together along with “allow” to create an Advent invitation to “establish our hearts.”

The Advent practice of “preparing the way” of our God in the Christian tradition is a little more textured (and a lot slower) than that of the pop-culture Christmas that surrounds us. (What Rev. Cari called the “marching band world.”)

John the Baptist’s call to repentance takes us deep, and invites us to realign our spiritual compasses toward God’s approach. This is the beginning of God’s tender word of consolation to each of us. Listen to the whole sermon for clues to opening your own heart to Christ’s advent among us.