by Brandon Beck

“To seek and serve all persons” is on my mind this time of year, as it is every year during Advent.

Advent is my favorite liturgical season – with the deep blue hues of the vestments and altar hangings, the lessons and carols of the season, the waiting and anticipation, the hot chocolate and crafts.

I value sharing in the preparation for and service of a community Friendsgiving event for families who receive diapers and parenting support at our local parish church. Turning to hanging the greens with special care for our Angel Tree participation, I am drawn more deeply into the sense of waiting and watching this season – but in an active way – in a seeking and serving way.

How can I fulfill my promise of baptismal living while waiting in anticipation, I wonder?

Perhaps, as in the Advent II lectionary reading from Isaiah, I will actively wait in the Spirit of the Lord:

“He shall not judge by what his eyes see,

or decide by what his ears hear;

but with righteousness he shall judge the poor,

and decide with equity for the meek of the earth.”

May we recognize and respond to every opportunity to meet those, like ourselves, who need a friend today and every day, for in them is Christ.

Editor’s note: PBL welcomes Brandon Beck as the newest writer to join our blog schedule. See our “Who we are” page to learn more.