Dear
Friends,
I’ve
been waiting all year to say, and finally can, Merry Christmas! Once again,
this Holy time of year is upon us, a time that is filled with wonder, dreaming,
and anticipation. Some of the youngest
among us know all too well how hard it is to wait, and I have to admit that I
still find it hard to wait for the excitement of Christmas.
For
me, Christmas is a time to take a deep breath in and to experience the best of
what it is that makes us Church. It’s a
time when many of our congregations get to welcome people in from the cold,
whether they are coming home, or are exploring church for the first time. It’s a time of holding each other close,
especially those in our churches and communities for whom Christmastime is
difficult—grief-filled, lonely, full of unmet expectations. And it’s a time of re-commitment—to remember
why we are church, to experience Jesus—Emmanuel—being born in us and among us
once again, and to promise anew to be God’s people, who try our best to walk in
the light and spread it in the world, as difficult as that can be
sometimes.
It
is my wish that this season will be a gift to you, a calling to continue to
live the sparkle of the Lights of Advent—Hope, Peace, Joy and Love, for our
Conference and for the world. May you
know, now and always, the love and compassion of the baby whom we celebrate,
Jesus, the Christ.
On
behalf of myself, Scott and Ethan, may you have a Happy and Holy Christmas, and
know that all things are possible for 2017.
In
Wonder and Excitement,
Catherine
The very same heartfelt wishes to you, Scott and Ethan. Although Christmas has held some sad memories for me, I have come to find the joy and wonder of the season is back in my heart! Thank you for your blog, Catherine, and Merry Christmas to you!
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