Greetings from a pastor who desperately misses his congregation.
As we quickly approach Thanksgiving, Advent and Christmas this year, we are all approaching from a much different place than we have before. We are still trying to figure out how to live and stay well in the midst of a pandemic. We are in the wake of one of the most divisive presidential elections in my lifetime. We have experienced a rise in awareness of the racial injustice that continues to persist in our country. Along with these and other things, we each have our day-to-day lives we are navigating the best we can. This is difficult to say the least.
What has even made this year more difficult is there are so many radically different perspectives on each of these things and how we are to move forward. Relationships are being strained, and people are often not listening to each other anymore. Because of the physical separation caused by the pandemic, it has become increasingly difficult to participate together in the things that draw us together like worship and simple aspects of community.
I don’t think Thanksgiving, Advent and Christmas could come at a better time. I want to challenge us all not to let whatever modifications we have to make to our celebrations and worship throughout keep you from experiencing the infusion of grace God wants us to receive from this time. We desperately need to be open and ready to receive grace, healing, strength and purpose for the days to come.
Thanksgiving – Although it is not technically a church holiday, we really need to be serious and disciplined about stopping to be thankful for the incredible blessing God has given us in the midst of our struggles. When we allow ourselves to remember all we are thankful for, we don’t minimize our struggles; instead, we are reminded that we are not ever alone. God is always with us and always providing for us even when we feel overwhelmed by our circumstances.
Advent – Advent is the time leading up to and preparing us for Christmas. The most common themes used during Advent are Hope, Peace, Love and Joy. Could you imagine the healing that could be done if we all commit ourselves to letting God focus our attention on these things in the midst of everything else? I’m not completely sure how just yet, but I am going to do my best to increase all our attention and understanding on Hope, Peace, Love and Joy during Advent. Don’t let whatever limitations and adaptations we have to our worship keep you from receiving all that God wants to do in you during this time.
Christmas – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:1-5) Christmas is about God sending Jesus in the midst of darkness and separation and giving us life.
I don’t know what our circumstances will look like in January, but I do know if we will all commit to drawing near to God as He draws near to us in the coming days, we will be ready to face 2021 with the new life and strength that can only come from Jesus.