Despite the fact that December 21st, the official first day of winter, is nearly three weeks away, the amount of wind and snow that we have experienced in Dufferin County leaves little room to wonder that winter has indeed arrived.

Every year, before the snow arrives we have some things we ought to do. Get the snow tires on the car. Find the shovels in the shed. See if that young boy from down the street can help with the shovelling this year. Get the furnace inspected and tuned up. Plastic sheeting on the windows. Hot water bottle for the bed. Extra snuggywarm pyjamas for the kids. Snow pants, mittens and scarves at the ready. (Of course, some of us avoid it all and head to warmer climates!!)

I don't know how you did with all this ... I actually did pretty well with the getting ready for the arrival of the snow and the colder temperatures. We had the snows on the cars before the first blast of snow a few weeks ago. The furnaces were tuned up and they are running just fine.

I even double checked the snow gear for the boys a few weeks ago. But, not all the windows have been shrink-wrapped; the boys have already lost two pairs of mittens each and I think they are out-growing their winter boots.

There are some other things to get ready before Christmas arrives. Of course there are lights to put up and trees to trim, there are presents to buy and to wrap, guest lists and baking to be done. But there is another kind of preparation that takes place in our hearts and minds as we await Christmas. In many Christian traditions, the four weeks before Christmas form its own season; the season of Advent. Amid the craziness of the 'holiday season', we are invited to set aside some time to prepare our hearts and minds and even our homes for the Nativity of Our Lord, the Birth of Jesus. Sunday morning services at St. Paul's will take on a slightly different tone allowing for more reflection and silence during the service. The church will be decorated slowly as we make our way towards that Holy Night.

Together with Trinity United Church, we are offering a special evening service on the second Sunday of Advent, December 9th at 7:30pm (at St. Paul's). The event includes a joint choir and Advent carol singing, and will also feature the Dufferin Circle of Story Tellers. This is an opportunity to rest in the beauty of candlelight, song and story. Amid the busy-ness of getting ready for the gift exchange and gatherings and celebration, the church holds open some space and time for rest, reflection and renewal.

We continue to make our way to the longest night of the year, but as the nights grow longer, the light from a candle seems to grow brighter. I pray that during this Advent season the glow of God's love for you grows warmer and brighter in your heart, and that you will come rejoicing to the manger where God's love becomes flesh in a precious baby boy.