Advent is more than a countdown to December 25th. Originally it was a season of prayer and fasting to prepare our hearts for Christmas. A time of preparing our souls for the arrival of Jesus. Both in the historical sense, looking back to his birth. And in the future sense, looking forward to his return, when he’ll make all things new.

Advent is all about waiting and longing for that which is beyond us. For that which is beyond our control. It’s a vital reminder that that ache inside us won’t be filled by clicking “buy now,” or by eating that next Christmas cookie, or by relentless streams of holiday nostalgia. Ultimately that ache can only be met by God himself.

That’s why Advent is aimed at shaping us into people whose hearts are awake to our longings, who are dissatisfied with quick fixes, and who know how to have empathy with the pain of the world.

At Nova Church, we are a Jesus-centered community. That means we want to root ourselves in the story of Jesus so we can share the life of Jesus with our city.

One way we do this is by following the seasons of the liturgical calendar. Each season invites us to enter into and rehearse the story of Jesus anew year after year.