This Sunday is the first Sunday of Christmas. We have just celebrated His coming during the Advent season, yet we still wait His coming every day – to meet us in the challenges that this life presents while we look to His coming again to make all things new.

In this week's lectionary readings, we meet two men, separated by centuries, who each face urgent, dangerous decisions under pressure from the powers of their world. Both are given the same sign: Immanuel, God with us.

This Sunday, we step into the wilderness with John and allow his voice to awaken us, so that we may be ready to receive Christ, the Judge who brings peace.

This Sunday we begin the Christian year with the first Sunday of Advent! I'm excited to begin this season of waiting together.