A Thrill of Hope: Advent 2026
Advent begins in a weary world, fractured by division and despair. Yet across generations, humanity has clung to the hope of restoration, and God continues to draw near. The Messiah has saved us, is saving us, and will save us. Suffering is not the final word. As we journey through Advent (and beyond, into Christmas and Epiphany), we watch for God’s saving work all around us: healing where there is hurt, courage where there is fear, hope where there is despair. The miracle of Immanuel did not end in Bethlehem. The thrill of hope persists.
Read more in this month’s newsletter.
An Expanded Advent
Since 2024, St. John’s has been observing an expanded season of Advent. It’s true that Advent has traditionally been – and is still in many churches – four weeks. One week for each candle on the wreath, right? It’s also true that it hasn’t always been that way. In fact, the length of the Advent season has varied over the course of church history – from as few as three weeks to as long as three months. It wasn’t until the papacy of Gregory I in the late 6th/early 7th century that Advent was standardized as the four-week season most of us are familiar with today.
In recent years, an expanded season of seven weeks has emerged among some Lutherans, Episcopalians, and others, including the three weeks between All Saints Sunday and the “traditional” start of four-week Advent. The rationale is two-fold and considers both the secular and liturgical calendars.
On the secular calendar, Christmas seems to come earlier and earlier each year. As soon as the last trick-or-treaters leave our porch on Halloween, if not before, Christmas decorations line the shelves of stores everywhere, and radio stations soon switch their format to 24/7 holiday music (whether we like it or not – so much for Thanksgiving). As a result, Advent, if observed at all, merely becomes a season to prepare for Christmas, rather than a spiritual reflection on the coming of Christ at the end of time, or the end of our lives. An expanded Advent gives us more time to reflect on these themes – to slow down and wait – before the onset of busy December.
Liturgically, an extended Advent dovetails nicely with themes already present in the Sunday lectionary. After All Saints, the lectionary in November already includes themes of the last times, judgment, and preparation for Christ’s coming. In an expanded season of Advent, we incorporate Advent themes into our November liturgies and change the liturgical color to blue, representing hope. We also use seven Advent candles to visually mark this season of preparation.
And so: Welcome to Advent – all seven weeks of it – at St. John’s.
Faith Formation & Advent Spirituality
Devotionals
This year’s options for Advent devotionals follow the traditional pattern of four-week Advent, beginning on November 29. For daily devotions focusing on the lectionary themes throughout November, pick up a copy of Christ in Our Home from church.
A Thrill of Hope
Dive deeper into this year’s Advent theme with weekly devotions from Illustrated Ministry. Each week – from November 29 (Advent 1 / 4) through Epiphany – includes a reflection along with some questions for further pondering, either on your own, with your family, or with a fellow St. John’s friend. Copies will be available at church.
Comfort and Joy: Devotions for Advent & Christmas
Jesus is coming; Jesus comes to us at Christmas and in each day; and Jesus will come again. These are the "tidings of comfort and joy" ("God rest ye merry, gentlemen") that we proclaim throughout Advent and Christmas. Drawing on centuries of Christian tradition, Comfort and Joy draws attention to God's surprising presence and action as we prepare for Jesus' birth during Advent, rejoice at his arrival throughout the twelve days of Christmas and the day of Epiphany, and anticipate his future return. Devotions begin on November 29 (the traditional First Sunday of Advent, the fourth Sunday in our expanded season) and include daily entries through Epiphany (January 6). Copies will be available at church, or you may purchase an eBook edition here.
ReconcilingWorks 2026 Advent Devotional
ReconcilingWorks is delighted to share our 2026 Advent Devotional, as a resource for individuals, families, and faith communities throughout this sacred season. This year's devotional invites us to explore the beautiful and complex intersections of LGBTQIA+ inclusion, racial equity, and anti-racism, reminding us that God's love calls us not only to welcome one another but to create communities where everyone can truly belong and flourish. Copies will be available at church, or you may download the devotional here.
As always, if you can’t get to church and want us to mail you a copy of any of the above, just give us a call. (If you regularly get mailed devotionals from us, you’re already on our list!)
Bible Study
Light of the World
In Light of the World: A Beginner's Guide to Advent, award-winning biblical scholar and New Testament professor Amy-Jill (“AJ”) Levine invites readers on an accessible, thought-provoking journey through the biblical texts surrounding the story of the birth of Jesus. In this study, we’ll trace the Christmas story from its Old Testament roots through the New Testament accounts, exploring the lives of Zechariah and Elizabeth, the Virgin Mary, the journey to Bethlehem, and the visit of the Magi.
Sessions will be held on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom (stjohnsalbany.org/zoom): November 18, December 2, December 9, and December 16. Sessions in December will end with a short service of compline (night prayer) with our Albany Lutherans Together (ALT) friends at 8:15 (details below). Come for Bible study, stay for worship!
Purchase the participant book here: paperback or Kindle edition. (Make sure you are purchasing the “Revised and Expanded” edition. Pr. Josh will also have a few extra copies available for purchase in the church office; contact him to claim one.)
Compline for Advent with Albany Lutherans Together (ALT)
Join in a brief contemplative service of night prayer (compline) with the congregations of Albany Lutherans Together this Advent: Wednesdays, December 2, 9, 16, & 23, at 8:15 p.m.
Join via Zoom at stjohnsalbany.org/zoom. Or join by phone: Dial 646-558-8656 and input the meeting ID (687-073-9105) and passcode (7545) when prompted.
Advent Fest
Mark your calendars for our 4th Annual Advent Fest – Saturday, December 5 from 3:00–6:30 p.m. – as we gather for simple holiday crafts, decorating our church Christmas tree, and a rehearsal for this year's Christmas pageant, followed by sharing a meal together and a quiet service of compline (night prayer) in the glow of our tree and candlelight (beginning around 6:00 p.m., if you just want to come for the service. Contact Karisa Centanni or Pr. Josh if you can help plan.
