“It’s Advent.” That’s how Rev. Cari begins this sermon for the first Sunday of the season of waiting, longing and anticipating God’s presence. The text is Philippians 1:3-11, Paul’s greeting to the church in Philippi.

Rev. Cari identifies the strange work of Advent: we know the story, we know where we’re headed in Advent. And yet, we are preparing to welcome — God, the ineffable, the uncontrollable (by us), the sovereign — known to us both as the “baby Jesus” and as the Christus Victor who conquers Sin and Death.

And so she suggests slowing down, becoming attentive to the healing, “heart-lifting” work of the Holy Spirit as we wait and hope for “the day of Christ Jesus.” Because God’s faithfulness to the “good work” already initiated in us means that God will bring it to completion.