Restoration Journal
News, Updates, and Resources
One of Restoration’s core values is Contemplation. We love how the annual rhythm of Advent naturally creates space to be confronted by the mystery of God's presence. During this season, we consider God’s faithfulness and wait for his return; we lament the world’s brokenness, and we anticipate the promised arrival of Christ the King. This year, there will be a few liturgical shifts to mark the season of Advent.
We are about to embark on another liturgical year together with the season of Advent. It is fitting that we enter into the year in darkness, mystery, and anticipation. It is the sacred vocation of the church to stand in the midst of a dark world, heralding a great mystery, eagerly anticipating the return of our king.
My soul magnifies the Lord,” Mary rejoices after being blessed by her cousin Elizabeth, who received the Holy Spirit as the two women met each other in the house of Zechariah. All of Israel had been waiting for so long for the Messiah to come and set this people free from their captivity, a promise he made to their forefathers, and now the moment was here! Elizabeth’s baby leapt in her womb for the joy of it all. Mary was about to give birth to that long-awaited Messiah, Jesus.
In the Christian imagination there is a profound sense of sacredness to the spaces we inhabit. A Home Blessing Liturgy intends to help us remember and reimagine that our common places are, in fact, places of holy habitation—sacred space that is set apart, where we ought to expect to encounter God in every room, at the table, inside the closet, and behind every nook and cranny.
Epiphany is the season in which we celebrate the Light of Christ spreading among the nations. As Epiphanytide progresses, pay attention to the Sunday readings which will tell the story of God the Father expressing love for all humanity, God the Son proclaiming the arrival of the Kingdom, and God the Spirit taking this good news to the gentiles. How will Restoration celebrate Epiphany this year?
I adore the Church Calendar, but let's be honest, 2020 has been a bad go of it. Lent was interrupted by a Pandemic. Holy Week and Easter were mediated through screens. Pentecost and Trinity was marked by injustice, hatred, and violence. The Season after Pentecost was the season of, “Don’t breath on me.” And most recently, the Feast of All Saints was marked by epic political division. It’s fitting to now conclude 2020 with prophesy and apocalypse. Let us descend into Advent.
