The Advent of a New Year

I was terrified to start my first year of high school. While I was excited about the prospect of learning, I was afraid to go forward alone. My classmates from primary school were attending a different high school. I wasn’t sure how I’d make it without the friends I had been with since kindergarten. I was sure my first day of high school would be the end of me.

As the summer holidays wound up, my mum encouraged me to check out a flyer from the local soccer team about tryouts. I was a tough defender in other sports, so I figured I’d probably do well around the goal posts. My mum rearranged her schedule so that she could drive me to tryouts and then for practice after I made the team. I spent two weeks running drills with the team before school started. I got to know my teammates and found that a few of us shared the same classes. By the first day of high school, I had a few friends – and even some sports cred.

While it was tough to arrive at the end of what I had known for most of my life, it was also necessary in order for the great new adventure to begin. And people like my mum would be with me, giving me strength and encouragement – and car rides – all along the way.

As we start this first week of Advent, we remember that we go forth not alone but with our faith community. In this season of hope, we can trust that together we will find strength and encouragement for whatever adventures and challenges lie ahead.