Advent and Christmas 2010

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

We are now moving in sacred time. Advent has us in its beam of blue light; holding us, preparing us, awakening us to a story of unlikely wonder and unreasonable purpose.

Christmas is coming, and we will have yet another opportunity to follow the journey of an ancient hope into the lives of a poor young woman of great faith and the man she will marry. We will hear again of their struggle to trust God and each other, the arduous trip to Bethlehem to fulfill a bureaucratic requirement that transforms into the fulfillment of God’s promise to be with us. We will stand near the stable under a night sky stuffed with stars and our spirits will see one special star over all of us. And then we will decide. Will the humility of God’s love be enough to bend us toward it—a little closer, for a little longer?

Every shiny decoration, every great Christmas chorus, every favorite carol, every string of lights, every lavish gift, every laden table and every great place of worship, must lay down its greatness at the stable door, and bend to the God who is bending toward all creation. Let us be a part of that company this Christmas. And let us take the journey together. See you at the stable, on Christmas Eve.

Blessings to you and all those you love, from your minister,

Diane