Advent thrusts upon us the reality that time is limited. We run out of time to reconcile, to prepare, to make a change.
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Yet even as we are running out of time, God is outside of time entirely. God’s infinite being and infinite patience cut through our fear as God enters human time to dwell with us: Emmanuel, God-with-us.
This year Advent begins on November 7. "Why so early?" you ask. Advent hasn't always been 4 weeks long. Early church communities had varying Advent practices--some 4 weeks, but some as much as 6 or 7 weeks long. During his papacy, Pope Gregory (590-604 CE) attempted to create a standard 4-week Advent, but he didn't change the lectionary. This means that the remnants of this older tradition have been with us all along.
Some modern church communities are embracing this ancient tradition (which we call "Extended Advent") to help us with a modern problem: the secular Christmas-ification of the Advent season. Christmas cheer is wonderful! AND Advent has important things to teach us. By extending our Advent season we get to truly experience Advent and focus on its themes. You can learn more about the hows and whys of Extended Advent by visiting the Extended Advent Project's website.
We'll be guided in this exploration by Barn Geese Worship Creative Resources.
Out of TIme: Introduction © 2026 Barn Geese Worship. Used by permission.
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