After a series of very unfortunate events at the beginning of this week, I was talking to a couple of my peers about Advent.

One clergywoman very humorously said, “It sounds like you’re having a very COVID Advent.”

2020 has definitely no shortage of “unfortunate events” and COVID, of course, is the most apparent. With the mantra of the year seems to be something like, “Things are a little different” or “Things don’t look the same,” Advent aligns perfectly. And also, it can have some of the same things as always…

We won’t be offering an Advent Lessons and Carols service at St. Michael’s, but there are some amazing Lessons and Carols services streaming all over, including Church of the Ascension in Chicago.

No one will be invited up, at the beginning of our Sunday services, to light the Advent Wreath, but I hope you will light your own Advent Wreath each week at home. Don’t have an Advent Wreath? Let us know! (We still have some supplies left) Or, watch this humorous video from a UCC pastor and get inspired with a “different” kind of Advent Wreath.

And for Christmas Eve, when we all usually gather in the church for beautiful music and meaningful worship and Communion, we’re getting creative, too. You’ll still be able to worship (at home, online—Christmas pajamas all day!) and you’ll still be able to receive Communion by registering for a spot for you and your immediate family on Christmas Eve by clicking here. 

Finally, since we’re also usually booked socially, with work parties and baking parties and caroling, I’m working with some members of the parish to offer you some online social gatherings. Want to bake cookies together? We’ll do that! Curious about what wine to serve with Christmas dinner? We’ll answer that question! Missing all those beautifully sung Christmas carols? We can sing together! Look for more information about this in next week’s Sword, online, and in the announcements on Sundays.

Until we can meet again and have a very un-COVID season, know that I am praying for you.