Reverse Advent Calendar

During the season of Advent, we prepare for the coming of our saviour as a lowly infant born in a manger. It is no accident that God choose to incarnate God's self among the poor and marginalized. Throughout scripture, God continually goes to the poor and marginalized. God remembers his people in Egypt and journeys with them while they wander the desert, he goes to Babylon to bring his people home and as we hear from Jesus in the parable of the lost sheep, God searches out those who are lost. 

And during the season of Advent, we prepare for Jesus to come again into our lives. In secular society, this count down to Christmas takes many forms. One of the most common forms is the Advent Calendar, which counts down the days from December 1 to the birth of our Lord on December 25. Each day there is a treat, often chocolate, behind a door as we anticipate the birth of Jesus. 

At All Saints' we have an Advent calendar but in reverse. The idea is pretty simple, instead of getting something, like chocolate, we are to fill the Advent calendar with items that are in need in our community. This year the Reverse Advent Calendar was filled in support of Carizon Family and Community Services Care and Share House and The Lakeshore South Community Association Sunnydale Community Center. 

Everything that was on the list as requested by our partner organizations was supplied by the generosity of the people of All Saints' Waterloo. We are all deeply grateful for your generosity, ministry and willingness to be the hands and feet of Jesus today in this world.