A WORD FROM THE PASTOR….. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)
Dear Friends in Christ,
The time has come – and gone. The four Sundays of Advent that mark the start of the Christian New Year are now in the “rear view” mirror. This week we celebrate the birth of Jesus and the coming of the Messiah – king, prophet and priest – the Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace foretold by Isaiah and sung about again and again over years of Christmases by choruses who brought to life the words and notes of Handel’s Messiah!
My memories of those times are strong this year, perhaps because we can’t come together to sing in this season of social distancing. I find that I am pondering more as I hear the fragments of the music in my mind….it is a time for quiet reflection, for finding a deeper meaning, for reconnecting with those who were there at the beginning and who heard the angels choruses come and then fade, greeted shepherds who shouted alleluias and then returned to distant hillsides to resume their watching, and sat still with wide-eyed wonder as magi came from afar bearing gifts. Mary and Joseph were simple people, accustomed to the gentle hum of life in a small village. They surely knew their neighbors and the best places to shop for things they needed. They had family connections and friends who they greeted on the streets and in the synagogue. But much of their time was spent at home, in the quiet of their daily duties. Like many of us, I imagine they were a bit overwhelmed by large events and hustle and bustle. What Joseph did with all he experienced as the earthly father of Jesus, we know nothing at all. Mary – pondered. She reflected, she stored things away for later, she reflected some more. In a different day and age she might have journaled. But her thoughts, her excitement, her fears, her reactions are lost in the mists of her “pondering”.
So, this year, instead of promises of a grand Christmas worship-time with packed church and carol singing with alleluias and candles and smiling faces. Instead of a Birthday Cake for Jesus shared together over coffee, and punch and conversation, this year, we celebrate in a different way. But we celebrate! We rejoice! We lift up our hearts with joy at the gift of God to the world – the infant King of Kings and Lord of Lords – found in a manger. And this year, without all the usual activities to distract us, we can, perhaps, focus on really opening our hearts to welcome that babe into the manger within each of us, a place ready for him to be born anew within our lives. I wish that for you. I hope that for each of us. I believe that will help us to make the most of the gift God is giving to you, to me, to the world….in this time.
GODBURST* by Ann Weems
When the Holy Child is born into our hearts
there is a rain of stars
a rushing of angels
a blaze of candles
this God burst into our lives.
Love is running through the streets.
- Kneeling in Bethlehem, Ann Weems, Westminster Press, Philadelphia 1987
My hope for you, for me, for all the world this Christmas is for that Godburst into each of our hearts! And may love run through the streets of every spirit, filling us with the joy and hope and peace that are the gifts God gives to those who have prepared the manger within them and are ready to receive him. Jesus Christ is born!
Merry Christmas!
Peace,
Pastor Betsy
Pastor Ott is presently at half-time hours which means she is in the office on average two times a week.
There will be no Weekly Update on Monday, December 28, 2020!!! There will be worship on December 27th and January 3rd as usual.
The church office will be closed from December 24th, Christmas, through January 3rd. We will reopen Monday, January 4th. During this time Pat, Deb, Evelyn and Pastor Ott will be on vacation. The church phone and emails will be checked, regularly, and messages will be answered in a timely manner. The Playschool will also be closed during this time. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
