This week is our short Advent series, we continue exploring themes of the season through the lens of the African American spirituals, and we focus on the song “Rise Up Shepherd and Follow”. This song, like all of the spirituals, has a double meaning of breaking out of slavery and into freedom, but it also challenges us to leave things behind on the journey to that freedom. What do we leave behind when we truly welcome Jesus into the world? How can the world change if we too are not willing to change? This season is not just one of comfort and joy, but also transformation! Join us in the journey!