November 23rd, 2019

I love celebrating Advent and Christmas in the Northern Hemisphere, where the days are getting shorter, the night’s longer, and you really get some use from your Christmas lights.  (In southern Australia it is only getting dark after 9pm, and quite challenging to take younger children out to see the lights because they will get to bed quite late.)  I love the Advent wreath – and lighting another candle each week.  I love the candlelight filling our sanctuary on Christmas Eve.  I love that we get to celebrate Christmas for another 12 days up until Epiphany, and that too is a wonderful festival – of light coming to the whole world. 

Christmas is about light coming into the dark, of shepherds watching their sheep by night, and the bright light of an angel and of the heavenly host shining around them.  Christmas is about incarnation; God taking on human flesh to come right into the midst of our human brokenness and challenges. That’s light that burns bright. 

I acknowledge that for some people Advent and Christmas are hard to get through.  They feel even more lonely and isolated.  They feel the deep loss of loved ones who have passed on and won’t be present at holiday celebrations. Emotional illnesses can feel even more intense in this season.     Advent and Christmas are times to check in with people; to see how they are doing.  This is a season for active listening to people sharing about their challenges, their hurts.  Even in a small way, Jesus’ light comes through connecting and listening.  Don’t rush to tell people that they should be feeling the joy of the season.  They may not feel any joy.   Listen, hold a hand, shed a tear, be present. That is bringing in the light of Christ. 

I acknowledge that for some people Advent and Christmas are hard to get through.  They feel even more lonely and isolated.  They feel the deep loss of loved ones who have passed on and won’t be present at holiday celebrations. Emotional illnesses can feel even more intense in this season.     Advent and Christmas are times to check in with people; to see how they are doing.  This is a season for active listening to people sharing about their challenges, their hurts.  Even in a small way, Jesus’ light comes through connecting and listening.  Don’t rush to tell people that they should be feeling the joy of the season.  They may not feel any joy.   Listen, hold a hand, shed a tear, be present. That is bringing in the light of Christ. 

I remember a pastor saying that during winter he made a number of visits to check in with people.  He always took a candle along to light.  And he asked the people about their challenges, their struggles, and with the candle burning, assured them that Jesus was present with them, in their life and home.   

Bring Jesus’ light wherever and whenever you can, and let others bring that light to you. God’s peace and comfort to you this Advent/Christmas.

Pastor Tim.

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December Reading

December 1—Matthew 2:36-44
December 8—Matthew 3:1-12
December 15—Matthew  11:2-11
December 22—Matthew 1:18-25
​December 29—Matthew 2:13-23