First Sunday of Advent, Year A. Three years ago I spent my first Advent as a Lutheran at Highwood Lutheran Church in Calgary, and what a lovely time I had there. And now on my first Sunday of Advent at my "forever home" church (if I may hope so), I was also the first person signed up for snow-shovelling detail. So I brought my steel-shod shovel and my ice cutter from home and started shovelling. Then Thor showed up and helped. Then Bryson showed up and helped. Between the three of us we cleared the entire property down to the pavement. It took about 75 minutes. Everyone was delighted, and since only my name is listed on the sign-up sheet... I got all the credit. The Lord is merciful and compassionate.