December is upon us, and with it comes the new church year and Advent.
I learned in seminary that Advent was traditionally like a smaller season of Lent, a period of reflection and self-examination, a time of repentance and prayer. Incidentally, Advent has taken on a different focus. Yet, I think it's still worth pondering that this season is both a time for preparation of the birth of Christ, and a time of reflection and prayer, repentance and self-examination. I don't think these things are mutually exclusive. And so I wonder how our preparations for celebrating the birth of Christ might be dual in nature. Perhaps we can prepare joyfully for Christmas while also praying for our hearts to continue to be transformed and shaped by the coming of God's kingdom into this world. Perhaps we can decorate for Christmas while reflecting on how we can better be the hands and feet of Christ in a world so desperately in need of God's love.
As a child, I never really looked forward to Advent because it felt like it was a time that went so SLOOOOOOOW, and that Christmas wasn't arriving fast enough. As I've gotten older, I've come to appreciate the time that we take intentionally, as a church, to hear the prophecies, to remember the stories and to prepare our hearts and minds for the arrival of Christmas. In a world that seems to be far more interested in the commercialization of Christmas, this year I encourage you to take intentional time to slow down, to contemplate the coming of Christ as human baby, and to ponder alongside Mary God's love for all of creation. May we open our hearts and minds to experience the Christmas story in a new way, to wonder alongside Mary, to rejoice alongside Elizabeth, to pray alongside Zechariah, to listen alongside Joseph, to seek alongside the Wise Men and to boldly proclaim God's love for all of creation. Gloria in excelsis Deo!
In Christ’s peace,
Pastor Katie
I learned in seminary that Advent was traditionally like a smaller season of Lent, a period of reflection and self-examination, a time of repentance and prayer. Incidentally, Advent has taken on a different focus. Yet, I think it's still worth pondering that this season is both a time for preparation of the birth of Christ, and a time of reflection and prayer, repentance and self-examination. I don't think these things are mutually exclusive. And so I wonder how our preparations for celebrating the birth of Christ might be dual in nature. Perhaps we can prepare joyfully for Christmas while also praying for our hearts to continue to be transformed and shaped by the coming of God's kingdom into this world. Perhaps we can decorate for Christmas while reflecting on how we can better be the hands and feet of Christ in a world so desperately in need of God's love.
As a child, I never really looked forward to Advent because it felt like it was a time that went so SLOOOOOOOW, and that Christmas wasn't arriving fast enough. As I've gotten older, I've come to appreciate the time that we take intentionally, as a church, to hear the prophecies, to remember the stories and to prepare our hearts and minds for the arrival of Christmas. In a world that seems to be far more interested in the commercialization of Christmas, this year I encourage you to take intentional time to slow down, to contemplate the coming of Christ as human baby, and to ponder alongside Mary God's love for all of creation. May we open our hearts and minds to experience the Christmas story in a new way, to wonder alongside Mary, to rejoice alongside Elizabeth, to pray alongside Zechariah, to listen alongside Joseph, to seek alongside the Wise Men and to boldly proclaim God's love for all of creation. Gloria in excelsis Deo!
In Christ’s peace,
Pastor Katie
Pastor Katie’s New Office Hours:
(Also available by appointment)
Monday – 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Tuesday – 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday – 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Thursday – 2:00 p.m. – 5::00 p.m.
Friday – Day Off
Saturday - 10:00 - 2:00
(Also available by appointment)
Monday – 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Tuesday – 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday – 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Thursday – 2:00 p.m. – 5::00 p.m.
Friday – Day Off
Saturday - 10:00 - 2:00