Pastors’ Column

In our minds and imaginations, Christmas is supposed to be a time of joy and celebration. And yet, the Christmas mania that comes from much that surrounds us seems distant from the significance of a particular child’s birth in a little town called Bethlehem long ago. Or there are some who may feel like the time of excitement does not meet them where they are because of struggles with loss, loneliness, or depression.  All of us at one time or another can understand the mindset of the Grinch or of Ebenezer Scrooge – “Bah, humbug!”  

The word “Advent” means “coming,” or “drawing near.” During this season, Christians throughout the world prepare for the anniversary of Christ’s first coming through reflection on our yearning for wholeness and salvation. Such reflection can serve to heighten our sense of anticipation for the Christ Child’s birth, which we will celebrate on Christmas. The Advent season also reminds us that Christ will come again at the end of time to reign over heaven and earth in majesty. 

There is a deluge of mail that arrives in mid-November.  Each bright catalogue declaring to have the perfect gifts for the season. Models in fuzzy sweaters carrying newly cut pine trees frame the words, “something for everyone on your list.” I’ll glance through these and doubt if my 9-year-old nephew really wants a fair isle sweater, but I still pause wondering if my list is long enough and if the gifts will indeed be “right.” This year the catalogues arrived again, and I was back to worrying about lists and gifts and wondering if this would be the year, I finally get a Christmas Card sent before Lent.  As I was worrying about Christmas, my hands were busy prepping craft material for the upcoming Live Nativity.

O God, from whom we receive every gift of life, we gather at Thanksgiving grateful for your abundant blessings. We are thankful for the gift of love which steadies us and opens our hearts to another, for passion that keeps attentive to the joys and challenges of our Christian calling, and for compassion which expresses our faith in tangible ways as we reach out to neighbors in need.

This coming Thanksgiving the Youth Ministry is hosting our annual Thanksgiving Day Breakfast! From 8:30-11:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day all are welcome to come and enjoy all-you-can-eat pancakes in Congregational Hall for $5/person or $20/family. All proceeds go to support the youth ministry in the coming year, including our summer Mission Trip to Peru in 2024.

When I was a child, my church in Pittsburgh always hosted a little “shop” on a Saturday morning in December where children of the congregation could come and buy small items for everyone on their Christmas list. Some items were donated by church members and others from a local wholesaler who traded in dollar store items. I am sure the day will come in the future when I clean out my parents’ home and I find all of the switchblade combs and costume cocktail rings that I bought for them over the years. Even though the gifts weren’t significant, there was a significance in teaching me what it means to give gifts at Christmas.