Can you believe that it is a ready December and that we are in the thick of the holiday season already? It seems as if this year has gone by so quickly. Before we know it, 2008 will be here, full of challenges and surprises. But, before the year slips away, it is always good to take some time to stop and look around - take some time to reflect on the movement of God through this congregation.
The Christmas season is a season of giving and receiving. As I think about that, I start to think about the many blessings that God has given to us as a congregation this year. There are blessings that we can visually see: a painted sanctuary ceiling, a new floor in the fellowship hall, a painted front of the sanctuary, a new chair lift, new doors in the fellowship hall, a new sound system, to name a few. There are blessings that we have found through those who have taken leadership roles in the church this year: the leadership in the youth group of Nancy Taylor and Doug Kutz, the work of the Board of Trustees and Deacons, the new energy of the Women’s ministry led by Jane Tupitza, Jenn Schwartz and Marti Jameson, a shared ministry in the Fellowship Group. There have been financial blessings that we have received in this congregation this year: we have met all of our special offering goals; special donations to help fund special projects; an insurance settlement for our dishwasher that broke; members going above and beyond to provide for the ministries of this congregation. There have been significant victories that we have celebrated in the life of this church this year: a baptism in French Creek, Harvest Home, Community Day and the Ridglea yard sale, the restart of the youth group and women’s ministry, the creation of an adult bible study and another trip to the Gulf Coast. This year God has also given us the blessing of trials, and we have been learning about the meaning of community and love and working together through these trials. God has also gifted us through connecting us with new families with children that bring energy and joy to our congregation on Sunday mornings. These are just a few of the many ways in which we have seen God working in us and through us - these are the blessings that God has given us in 2007.
If we take time to think about all that we have received from the Lord this year, we should also take time to think about what we have given to the Lord this year. This is the theme that we are going to focus on during the Advent - the gifts that we give to the Christ child. Each Sunday we are going to look at the gifts that are given to the Christ child in the Christmas story. On December 2nd, we will look at Mary’s gift of availability - that even though there were significant social stigma attached, Mary made her body available to the Spirit of the Lord in order to carry the Christ child. On December 9th, we will look at the angel’s gift of praise - “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those upon whom His favor rests.” On December 16th, we will look at the gift of the shepherds - who hurry off and share their testimony about what they have seen in the Christ child. On December 23rd, we will look at the precious gifts that the magi bring before the baby Jesus. Finally, on December 24th, we will look at the gift of the parents of Jesus, and how in the days following his birth they present him at the Temple. Each week we will be invited to ask the questions, “How do I participate in this gift to the Christ child?” and “What are the gifts that I bring to the Christ child this Advent season?”
This Advent season, as we prepare ourselves to once again receive the gift of Savior of the World in the manger, may the Holy Spirit lead us as we consider the gifts that we present to the Christ child.
Pastor Tim,
Updated December 6, 2007.
