Dear Sisters and Brothers,
Please forgive me in advance because this pastors letter is dealing with my own issues. However, I’m betting that many of you struggle with the same issues.
I went into a store the day after Halloween, and there, on a big sign was “55 days till Christmas.” I wanted to scream. My life has been kind of full lately. There are a lot of things going on at home and work – and sometimes keeping up seems to drain me. In my wider family, some of the people I love are struggling through some pretty difficult times. Their needs are constantly on my mind and in my prayers. Also, there are so many more in my wider Christian family that I carry around in my heart as well. Every day the news of the world draws my attention and my thoughts and my prayers. To be honest, put it all together and there is a lot going on inside.
And then there was this sign. Another thing to worry about! 55 days until Christmas. I’d better start getting it together. Another thing to carry around. Even the peace of Christmas turns into another thing to fill up my mind and heart.
The sign has been counting down each time I go into the store. But now it’s o.k. That sign made me stop and think. Christ comes into this world, into this craziness we call life to remind us that God is here. God is here to help lift those burdens that threaten to overwhelm. God comes to bring life when we need it most. The Gospel of John tells of Christ’s coming with this powerful image:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it.”
Christ has come!! We celebrate his coming each year. We know that Jesus never leaves us and so that light is always ours. The adult Jesus gave us words of comfort: ‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”
Now I just edit the sign in my mind whenever I see it: 0 days till Christmas. Christ is here with us now – wow that takes a load of my mind and heart.
Peace and Joy
Pastor Dave
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