Advent signals a new beginning to the church year, and a new opportunity to refresh and reinvigorate our own walk with Christ Jesus. Our baptism includes the following question, " DOST thou renounce the devil and all his works, the vain pomp and glory of the world, with all covetous desires of the same, and the sinful desires of the flesh, so that thou wilt not follow, nor be led by them?" (BCP page 277). We affirm that we do! And yet we also know that we are at once justified and sinners (per Luther), so Advent invites us to mark the new beginning of the year with assurance and confidence in God's mercy even as we continue to work out our salvation imperfectly.