O God, who before the passion of your only-begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

A collect is a short liturgical prayer, variable according to the day, the season of the church year, and the occasion. Collects for each Sunday are assigned according to the church year and are all listed in the Book of Common Prayer.

Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit: Grant that all who are baptized into his Name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly confess him as Lord and Savior; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

A collect is a short liturgical prayer, variable according to the day, the season of the church year, and the occasion. Collects for each Sunday are assigned according to the church year and are all listed in the Book of Common Prayer.

O God, who wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully restored, the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, you Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

A collect is a short liturgical prayer, variable according to the day, the season of the church year, and the occasion. Collects for each Sunday are assigned according to the church year and are all listed in the Book of Common Prayer.

Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

A collect is a short liturgical prayer, variable according to the day, the season of the church year, and the occasion. Collects for each Sunday are assigned according to the church year and are all listed in the Book of Common Prayer.

Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

A collect is a short liturgical prayer, variable according to the day, the season of the church year, and the occasion. Collects for each Sunday are assigned according to the church year and are all listed in the Book of Common Prayer.

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

A collect is a short liturgical prayer, variable according to the day, the season of the church year, and the occasion. Collects for each Sunday are assigned according to the church year and are all listed in the Book of Common Prayer.

Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

A collect is a short liturgical prayer, variable according to the day, the season of the church year, and the occasion. Collects for each Sunday are assigned according to the church year and are all listed in the Book of Common Prayer.

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
for ever. Amen.

A collect is a short liturgical prayer, variable according to the day, the season of the church year, and the occasion. Collects for each Sunday are assigned according to the church year and are all listed in the Book of Common Prayer.

Advent (from the Latin word adventus, meaning “coming”) is a season of the Christian church, the period of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus; in other words, the period immediately before Christmas.

Since Advent begins tomorrow, I’m preparing for it this weekend. Some of my favorite Advent activities include:

• Making an Advent wreath and lighting it throughout the season (we’re doing this tomorrow after the church service).
• Listening to Christmas music from the church (current favorite: Christmas with the Tallis Scholars)
• Watching the old Disney cartoon, The Small One.  I watched this as a child, and now as an adult it makes me cry!

This year I am also going to make an effort to work through an Advent specific devotional.  I’ve done this in the past, but I’d love to get back into the habit.  I’ve chosen Love Came Down: Anglican Readings for Advent and Christmas for this year’s readings!  What are some Advent traditions that you honor every year?

For more Advent celebrations, check out the Third Annual Advent Carnival!