December 2023
Advent is one of my favorite seasons of the church year. The colors of blue and white remind me of the skies and the snow. The stars at night can be so bright it brings to mind the shepherds who did a good share of waiting and watching as it was part of their work!
During this season of Advent and Christmas at Trinity Lutheran, I invite you to explore, listen and reflect on the theme: “The Light of Grace: Welcoming God’s Amazing Gift of Christ”. We will ponder the light of grace that offers: Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. Each Sunday a candle will be lit on the Advent wreath; accompanied by a reading from the Advent devotional that is available to all individuals and families at Trinity Lutheran. The sermons on the four Sundays in Advent will introduce us more deeply to the biblical stories of: Zechariah, Isaiah, Elizabeth and Mary. Of course, it all points to the celebration of Christmas Eve on the evening of December 24th with the service of Candlelight, Communion and Carols.
So, I invite you to set aside time during the season of Advent to be open to the Spirit and it’s movement in your life and the world. This invitation will be a challenge as it will take time….time to stop, ponder, discuss, reflect and prayer. It is difficult and for you, as individuals and families, there will be a necessary intentionality about it-- be it Sunday worship, daily Advent devotions (lighting the candles; reading the devotion; prayer). Intentionally setting aside the time for contemplating the season of Advent and Christmas might help you/us get through this season with a new appreciation of waiting and watching, rejoicing and hoping. As Christians, we anticipate the coming of Jesus, both the first coming in the manger and in his future second coming. An intentional slowing down in the midst of the rush may allow us to discover, recover and renew the joy that we have in God’s presence in our daily life.
May this season of Advent and Christmas encourage you, excite you, and energize you, as we celebrate God’s love which is made known to us this Christmas as it was that first Christmas morning- “All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call him Emmanuel” which means, “God is with us.”
Matthew 1: 22-23
Pastor Carol
