Advent

Advent = Coming Towards. In church, Advent means a season of preparing for the One who is coming. And why should we not also come towards God? What are our known ways and what new ways might be shown? Do you think you're "there"/("here"?). Come closer still.

"Meditate on God day and night."  Psalm 1 represents the ingenuity of new ways to approach God when old--sacred, holy, adored--ways are taken away. When the Jews were driven into exile and could no longer sing the Lord's song in the Temple, they found a new way to come closer: DAILY songs within the soul, DAILY meditation on Torah. That exile became a productive time for priestly writing; when taken from the closeness of the altar, God's beloved ones found ways to come closer still.

The opening of the Second letter from Peter counsels our own soul's nourishment in lonely exile here. "Be ever more zealous to confirm your call and election." [2 Peter 1:1-11] Make extra effort in your known ways and new ways shall be revealed.