Advent--almost

This is an important day. It's the penultimate day of the church calendar. (Ultimate means final or farthest and pen means almost.) So it means next to the last. Advent, the first day of the church year, is Sunday, November 30, and we look forward to the coming of our Savior and Lord who took on our flesh as a helpless baby.

 
To make it easy on myself I looked up how that is determined and self was told: 

"The first day of Advent in 2025 is Sunday, November 30, 2025. This date marks the beginning of the liturgical year in Western Christianity and is the first Sunday of Advent, which is always the Sunday closest to St Andrew’s Day (November 30).

Advent will conclude on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2025, leading into the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus Christ on December 25. Many churches observe this season with Advent wreaths, lighting candles each Sunday to symbolize themes of hope, peace, joy, and love."

Advent hymns are lovely and thoughtful--not exactly Rudolph and Santa. One popular hymn was written by Christina Georgina Rosetti and ends,

 
"What can I give him,
poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd,
I would bring a lamb,
if I were a wise man
I would do my part,
yet what I can I give him,
give my heart."

Our facility, The Estates at Knightsbridge, is swarming with Christmas elves who have miraculously put out wreaths, ribbons and trees to make this place look like, maybe not home, but festive and cheerful as we look forward.

Also, it's Black Friday when retailers make it or break it (are in the black), and you're crazy if you go out to shop or buy a quart of milk. It's also the day before OSU and Michigan fight it out in Ann Arbor; the streets of Columbus will be quiet and safe.