Our calendars are different. Christians, I mean. We operate with a different calendar. The year begins at the end of November or early December: Advent. Jesus is coming; He came; He still comes; He's coming again.

But it's not just that we start our year a month early. We have a whole different reckoning of time, actually. But understanding that different reckoning of time is becoming harder and harder in this world.

The world's day begins at sun up, the week begins on Monday. So Monday morning is "go time." What am I going to accomplish today? This week? How much can I get done? How many people can I impress?

It's all about me. And my worth as a person, a member of society, a contributing part of the community, is determined by my success during the week. What did I do?

But as Christians, our week begins differently. It begins on Sunday. And, while we aren't obligated to worship on a particular day, since the Resurrection, Christians have determined that Sunday is a great way to start the week. With gifts. With grace. With rest. With a change in focus from what I have done or need to do, and instead toward what He has done for me and delivers to me in Word and Sacrament.

Our week begins with Grace. And our worth as human beings is determined by that Grace, not by how much we "get done" during the week. And starting with Grace leads to giving thanks to a Gracious God, and to peace that is not determined by career or financial success, but peace that is determined by a Savior who battled my enemies to ensure my peace.

But it's not just the week that begins with Grace. It's the day, too. Sure, for us energetic Americans, the day begins with an alarm, a caffeine source, and a dash off to do something important.