Advent begins on Sunday and I’m ready for it—not just professionally but personally. I love the hymnody, I love the collects, and I love that the church pulls me out of the cultural moment through a season that can be both penitential and joyful, anticipatory and nostalgic, rooted in what was and confident of what will be. That said, I’m going to dust off an old prayer for me personally and collectively for the church. Advent is a season that helps us see the Christ who came, the Christ who comes now, and the Christ who will come again. I pray that the same Christ would the one whose life we receive and are shaped by.

Grant that the meek and humble spirit of the lowly Jesus may dwell and reign within our hearts, and in following the steps of His most holy life may we enjoy that peace which passeth all understanding and know the power of Thy Spirit, bearing witness with our spirits that we are indeed Thy children; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

The Daily Office (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1965), 482.