Introduction I love an old song lyric from Stevie Wonder: “Music is a world within itself and a language we all understand.” I think that this is especially true with music the Christmas season. Songs and carols help us carry on the glorious story of Jesus’ birth. We join along with the heavenly host of angels as we sing glory to God in the highest. If you are like me, hearing these songs brings up memories of moments in your life of faith and spiritual formation. Music becomes a part of our story and the soundtrack of our experience. I remember putting ornaments on our family Christmas tree in the living room as my mom’s scratchy old record of Dennis Day crooning holiday favorites in the background. I remember as a middle schooler mischievously chuckling that I got to sing the word “ass” in church with Good Christian Friends, Rejoice: “Ox and ass before him bow, and he is in the manger now.” After months of fasting from congregational singing in-person during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, I had a sense of hopeful togetherness when we were able to finally sing Silent Night by candlelight as an assembled community once again. As LIFT pastor, I have enjoyed playing guitar on Al Mundo Gozo Proclamad and other carols in Spanish during Camino de Vida’s yearly posada celebration. Advent is our time of preparation and anticipation as we get ready for Christmas. As we get ready for celebrations in both our homes and congregations, it’s also a time of reflection to think about what God is up to in our lives. We remember ancient voices calling us to prepare the way of the Lord. In silence, prayer, and scripture, we discover deeper meaning in our lives and experience. This Advent in the LIFT Parish, we have invited folks from our congregations to share some Advent thoughts about their favorite Christmas carols. This resource is an opportunity to get to know one another and ponder this season. These writings are included in a printed booklet, but also shared through LIFT’s social media, using the hashtag #AdventLIFT. Also included each Sunday is a brief prayer for lighting an Advent wreath in your home. This set of four candles helps us feel the warmth of Christ as well as mark time as the weeks go by. My prayer is that the words in this devotional resource guide you in Christ’s love this Advent season and beyond. Pastor Paul Bailie LIFT Pastor