Sharing the light of Christ

Christmas Day is just a week away and while this realization brings delight to the younger people among us, the older people may be experiencing anxiety or even panic!

One of our local publications recently published an article titled "7 Tips to Help You Get Through Christmas" (which, truth be told, was actually a pretty helpful article). This article picked up the sense we have regarding the expectations we attach to Christmas so that it is requirement to be completed rather than a promise to be lived.

I am so glad to be part of this faith community. This week as I participated in our Advent study classes, I was inspired and lifted up by the thoughts shared by those present. On Thursday I was able watch our church preschool students present the Nativity story and was impressed by the fact that each child had become so familiar with the story that they were able to recite all the parts, not just their own.

Tomorrow I look forward to the church sharing the light of Christ with those around us as some of our members take part in the Feed My Starving Children ministry while others spend the afternoon caroling to and visiting with some of our homebound members.

And I am very much looking forward to spending Christmas Eve with all of you. As we come together on Christmas Eve, no matter what has been left undone, we journey toward the manger, as people have done for centuries and there find the rest, the wonder, and the love of Christ.

This Sunday we will hear Mary's song of joy as she awaited the birth of Jesus in the midst of an uncertain time and the unknown in her heart. I hope you will join us.