I know I've written on the subject of stewardship before, but as my congregation looks towards Christmas and the end of 2010, I've been reflecting on how we are going to greet the new year. I've also been thinking a lot about the subject matter of my previous post (see "Our New Reality"). It's been heavy on my heart this week, so much so that I even wrote to one of my state senators about it. I've never written a letter (well, it was an email) to a politician before, and so it was a new experience. I asked the senator if he could convince me that there was more going on in Washington than petty bickering between Republicans and Democrats. The Ameircan people, I said, need more evidence that our elected leaders can behave like adults and get along with respect and dignity. From down here on the ground, it looks like we've elected spoiled children who are moving closer and closer towards having separate water fountains for Republicans and Democrats.
Any other party gets to drink the leftovers that spill onto the ground. Maybe what this country needs is some good old fashion political segregation in order to make sure that these two major parties don't have to interact any more than they need to.
I say that in the spirit of "A Modest Proposal" by Jonathan Swift (a great satirical essay that suggests the problem to the wealthy's complaint about overpopulation can be easily solved by instituting a healthy diet of small children).
I digress.
I've been thinking a lot about this lately, and I've been practically glued to the Presbyterian Church (USA) website (http://www.pcusa.org/). They have a lot of resources on the subject of justice and peacekeeping. There are times when I think we as a people have become numb to the issues around us. We're so used to hearing about war and death that many of us don't even flinch when we hear there was another roadside bombing. I must admit I am guilty of this as well.
It's time we woke up and pay attention to the world that's going on around us. It's time that we as a church took a step forward and made our voices known in the world that there is more going on than meets the eye. It's time we moved from asking the question "Well, what can we do about it?" to actually doing something about it. The possibilities for mission are endless. We can make a difference if we start looking past the end of our noses.
Of course, the tricky business is always putting theory into practice. This is one reason I've been glued to the church's website because I want to know what more I can do and how I can do it from where I am in Illinois.
So here is a list of five ideas to get you started. If you have a chance, please check out the denomination's website re: peacekeeping issues. There is a great blog called Swords Into Plowshares that provides all kinds of resources and raises awareness on a variety of issues. In the meantime, here is this list. Maybe one or two things will make it onto your list of possible New Year's Resolutions.
1) Spend five minutes a day praying for different areas of the world that need peace. Right now, there are a lot of prayer vigil efforts for our brothers and sisters in Sudan. They are voting on a referendum on Jan. 9, 2011 that if passed would make the South separate from the Arab north. The Genocide going on in Sudan has to come to an end. The referendum does not guarentee peace. There will always be dangers and the day of the vote itself is subject to sabatoge and violence. There are so many places like Sudan and Congo that are facing genocide and violence. Take a few minutes every day to pray for God to be a beacon in the lives of those who are in such desperate need of peace.
2) Write a letter or send an e-mail to a state representative. Find out what kind of peacemaking efforts he or she is involved in. Challenge your representative to step up and be a leader for peace in our nation and in our world. If you really feel called into this, maybe find a piece of legislation that is working towards peace and find a way to advocate for it by letter writing or wearing a button or t-shirt. The big one that is going on in debates in the senate right now that the PC (USA) peacekeeping committee is talking about is START, which is a treaty between the USA and Russia that works towards downsizing the nuclear warheads department (you can read more about START online if you want to read its pros and cons, because like all things, it has both).
3) Donate your time. Find an organization in your community that helps those in need. Whether it's a homeless shelter, a food pantry, or a children's hospital, there are so many ways to volunteer your time. Mission work is more than just writing a check; it's getting involved. Here in my town, we have a clothing giveaway in which people donate clothes of all shapes, sizes, and genders. Right now the giveaway happens in local churches, but they will soon have their own storefront. Volunteers go and help sort clothes by size and gender, and then once a month, the doors are open for people to come and get clothes. There is no payment involved, no money changes hand. It's simply a way for people who are in need of clothes to come and get clothes. Last month, the giveaway serviced 117 adults over the age of 12 (so that number isn't counting the children that came through too). I expect now at Christmas time, when they are giving away toys as well, that number will be much higher.
4) Resolve to engage in an end to "needless spending." How often to we buy things on a whim? We buy food we're never going to eat (or shouldn't eating) and clothes we're never going to wear. Think hard and carefully about each item before you buy it.
5) Clean your house. I know we're not even into Winter yet and I'm already talking about Spring Cleaning. But seriously. Go through your house. What clothes aren't you wearing? What toys aren't your kids (or you) playing with? What food is in your pantry that you know you're never going to use? Find a place to donate it. Talk to your pastor at church about organizations that take different donations or take it upon yourself to find those places.
Together we can make a difference in our world. We can no longer sit by and ask "Well, what can we do about it?" There's a LOT we can do about it. It's time to stop asking what we can do and actually DO. As Christians, we are called by God to take care of each other and God's world. We have been made the keepers of the garden. Let us truly mean what we say when we sing "Peace on Earth, Good Will to all God's creatures."
May the Peace of Christ bless you this Christmas season,
Pastor Becki
Friday, December 17, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Our New Reality
When I first graduated college, I was a reporter. I worked for a small weekly newspaper making an incredibly low amount of money, but I was getting paid to write and that was exciting. It didn't take long, though, for me to realize that writing for a newspaper was not where God was calling me to be. I was a reporter for seven months before I quit and entered the seminary in Princeton. It took a long time after quitting for me to be able to read the news again because I had such a bad taste in my mouth.
I do read the news now, and there are times when I read an article and my heart just feels sad. Tonight I read an article and saw a video clip about it and my heart was sad. My heart was sad and sick all at the same time. It was a news article about a man who, following the termination of his wife's job, went to the school board meeting, told everyone but the six male school board members to get out of the room, and he opened fire. By what can only be described as the grace of God, the man missed every single school board member, even though he was standing at close range. After being wounded by a security officer, he took his own life.
Now, as a reporter I had to cover school board meetings so I know emotions can run high. I've seen some very ugly arguments between school board members and fitful parents. I would not like to be the reporter covering the man in Florida with the gun because I wouldn't know where to even begin reporting on it. What has happened to our society that people are pushed so far over the brink of chaos that something like this even happens? I've been reading less and less of the news lately because I'm sick to death of hearing politicians fight about how to fix the economy. I realize that it's a big job and I can respect that. But at what point can we down here on the ground expect our country's leaders to stop their petty partisan bickering and start acting on their promises and their pledges? At what point can we on the ground expect that our country's finances will fund important things like job programs? How exactly did America get to the point where we are so far in debt that we have people all over the country on the brink of starvation because they can't pay their bills or buy food due to unemployment?
This edge-living -- and I don't mean living on the edge to the glory of spontaneity, but rather living on the edge between sanity and insanity -- is this our new reality? I love this country and all the freedom it gives me, but I have to admit that sometimes I'm not sure I really know what we stand for anymore. We're doing some great things, and we have some awesome programs in place that really help people, and I get that. But I think there are some areas in which we have lost our muchness.
I'm praying tonight. I'm praying for the man that was so angry and pushed so far off the edge that he had to take his own life after attempting to take the lives of others. I'm praying for the school board members who have to live with the reality of their own mortality in a way that I'm sure none of them have ever faced before. I'm praying for the family of the deceased gunman who now have to hear their loved one referred to as "the gunman." How quickly roles and titles can change in the face of emotional chaos. I'm praying for the families of the school board members, that they may find ways to be supportive and loving to people that have experienced something horrible. I'm praying for all those around the country who are finding themselves teetering on that same edge between sanity and doing something irrational.
I don't know how economics work, but I know they are very complicated and I can appreciate that. But if we're learning anything, it's that we're learning to be aware of how fragile the human makeup really is. We're learning to be aware that if all we ever do is talk about change, nothing is actually going to change. It's not enough to say things have to get better. We have to find ways to start making them better.
I don't usually write politically-charged blogs, but this article really bothered me tonight. It makes me wonder what's happened to us as a nation. What can we do to gain back our muchness (quoting from Tim Burton's "Alice in Wonderland")? And more importantly I guess is how we face the reality that this problem of people who do things like the man who brought a gun to the school board meeting is not a new problem. It's a problem that's been in our country and in our world since the fall in Genesis 3.
In this advent season, we talk about peace on earth and goodwill towards human beings. Let's find ways to make this not just a nice sentiment, but a reality. God is watching over all of us, and praise God that the school board walked out of there with their lives. Praise God that there are so many people in this country working on ways to bring peace on earth and goodwill towards all human beings with energy and creativity. My Christmas wish this year is that we move closer towards a point where we stop needing natural disasters, personal tragedies, and outright chaos to remind us how connected we are as people.
Peace to you,
Pastor Becki
I do read the news now, and there are times when I read an article and my heart just feels sad. Tonight I read an article and saw a video clip about it and my heart was sad. My heart was sad and sick all at the same time. It was a news article about a man who, following the termination of his wife's job, went to the school board meeting, told everyone but the six male school board members to get out of the room, and he opened fire. By what can only be described as the grace of God, the man missed every single school board member, even though he was standing at close range. After being wounded by a security officer, he took his own life.
Now, as a reporter I had to cover school board meetings so I know emotions can run high. I've seen some very ugly arguments between school board members and fitful parents. I would not like to be the reporter covering the man in Florida with the gun because I wouldn't know where to even begin reporting on it. What has happened to our society that people are pushed so far over the brink of chaos that something like this even happens? I've been reading less and less of the news lately because I'm sick to death of hearing politicians fight about how to fix the economy. I realize that it's a big job and I can respect that. But at what point can we down here on the ground expect our country's leaders to stop their petty partisan bickering and start acting on their promises and their pledges? At what point can we on the ground expect that our country's finances will fund important things like job programs? How exactly did America get to the point where we are so far in debt that we have people all over the country on the brink of starvation because they can't pay their bills or buy food due to unemployment?
This edge-living -- and I don't mean living on the edge to the glory of spontaneity, but rather living on the edge between sanity and insanity -- is this our new reality? I love this country and all the freedom it gives me, but I have to admit that sometimes I'm not sure I really know what we stand for anymore. We're doing some great things, and we have some awesome programs in place that really help people, and I get that. But I think there are some areas in which we have lost our muchness.
I'm praying tonight. I'm praying for the man that was so angry and pushed so far off the edge that he had to take his own life after attempting to take the lives of others. I'm praying for the school board members who have to live with the reality of their own mortality in a way that I'm sure none of them have ever faced before. I'm praying for the family of the deceased gunman who now have to hear their loved one referred to as "the gunman." How quickly roles and titles can change in the face of emotional chaos. I'm praying for the families of the school board members, that they may find ways to be supportive and loving to people that have experienced something horrible. I'm praying for all those around the country who are finding themselves teetering on that same edge between sanity and doing something irrational.
I don't know how economics work, but I know they are very complicated and I can appreciate that. But if we're learning anything, it's that we're learning to be aware of how fragile the human makeup really is. We're learning to be aware that if all we ever do is talk about change, nothing is actually going to change. It's not enough to say things have to get better. We have to find ways to start making them better.
I don't usually write politically-charged blogs, but this article really bothered me tonight. It makes me wonder what's happened to us as a nation. What can we do to gain back our muchness (quoting from Tim Burton's "Alice in Wonderland")? And more importantly I guess is how we face the reality that this problem of people who do things like the man who brought a gun to the school board meeting is not a new problem. It's a problem that's been in our country and in our world since the fall in Genesis 3.
In this advent season, we talk about peace on earth and goodwill towards human beings. Let's find ways to make this not just a nice sentiment, but a reality. God is watching over all of us, and praise God that the school board walked out of there with their lives. Praise God that there are so many people in this country working on ways to bring peace on earth and goodwill towards all human beings with energy and creativity. My Christmas wish this year is that we move closer towards a point where we stop needing natural disasters, personal tragedies, and outright chaos to remind us how connected we are as people.
Peace to you,
Pastor Becki
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
With Apologies
I'm not in the business of retraction, but I am in the business of being able to apologize when I think I'm in the wrong. In this case, I think I'm in the wrong.
I was reading a post on facebook from a friend of mine and it made me take a second look at my blog entry from last week. While I don't disagree with everything I said, there is a paragraph that I think was out of line and for that I owe my readers an apology. I'm also stating up front that I'm not removing the blog entry because like I said, I'm not in the business of retraction, but I will admit when I think I said something stupid so I can remedy it. Also, if I remove the blog entry, you won't get to scroll down and see what I'm talking about, and I want you to see it so you can see why I'm embarassed by what I wrote.
Re: Paragraph that reads: If I wish you a Merry Christmas and you're offended, you're too sensitive.
That was an uncalled for comment. What I wish I had written instead is this: "If I wish you a Merry Christmas and you're offended, please tell me."
The gist of what my friend said was that it's not always okay to go around assuming that someone is a Christian unless they prove otherwise. What she said really bothers her is the notion that "Merry Christmas" is the norm as a way of being passive about it without taking the time to care about what our neighbor celebrates or doesn't celebrate. It was that comment from her that really made me take a second look at what I wrote.
That being said, I stand by my comment that the holiday season should open us up to conversation. Having read what my friend wrote and thinking about what I myself wrote, it makes me feel a little more like instead of just wishing someone a Merry Christmas, asking first, "Do you celebrate Christmas?" It gives the person permission to tell me no instead of being afraid to tell me no if I just say "Merry Christmas" on my way out the door. My point is not that a person needs permission in order to tell us what holiday they celebrate, if any. My point is that it would be helpful if we as Christians strike a balance between owning our faith and saying "Merry Christmas" instead of "Happy Holidays" but it would also be helpful if we open the door for conversation to learn something new about the people we encounter on a daily basis, even if we never see that person again. Chances are, the people we encounter will feel a sense of autonomy and identity to which every human being is entitled.
I therefore apologize for my pervious blog post because what I was trying to say and what I think I actually said were not the same thing. I do think Christians need to do a better job of owning our faith because I think it is a remarkable and disturbing sign of the times when non-Christians do a better job talking about who Jesus was than Christians do. That being said, however, I also think we as Christians need to do a better job encountering our neighbors in a way that encourages conversation, not superiority.
Wishing you a merry winter season of whatever holiday you do or do not celebrate. Because I'm Christian, I wish you a Merry Christian, and if that is not your holiday of choice, I invite you to tell me and I hope I haven't offended you.
Peace be with you,
Pastor Becki
I was reading a post on facebook from a friend of mine and it made me take a second look at my blog entry from last week. While I don't disagree with everything I said, there is a paragraph that I think was out of line and for that I owe my readers an apology. I'm also stating up front that I'm not removing the blog entry because like I said, I'm not in the business of retraction, but I will admit when I think I said something stupid so I can remedy it. Also, if I remove the blog entry, you won't get to scroll down and see what I'm talking about, and I want you to see it so you can see why I'm embarassed by what I wrote.
Re: Paragraph that reads: If I wish you a Merry Christmas and you're offended, you're too sensitive.
That was an uncalled for comment. What I wish I had written instead is this: "If I wish you a Merry Christmas and you're offended, please tell me."
The gist of what my friend said was that it's not always okay to go around assuming that someone is a Christian unless they prove otherwise. What she said really bothers her is the notion that "Merry Christmas" is the norm as a way of being passive about it without taking the time to care about what our neighbor celebrates or doesn't celebrate. It was that comment from her that really made me take a second look at what I wrote.
That being said, I stand by my comment that the holiday season should open us up to conversation. Having read what my friend wrote and thinking about what I myself wrote, it makes me feel a little more like instead of just wishing someone a Merry Christmas, asking first, "Do you celebrate Christmas?" It gives the person permission to tell me no instead of being afraid to tell me no if I just say "Merry Christmas" on my way out the door. My point is not that a person needs permission in order to tell us what holiday they celebrate, if any. My point is that it would be helpful if we as Christians strike a balance between owning our faith and saying "Merry Christmas" instead of "Happy Holidays" but it would also be helpful if we open the door for conversation to learn something new about the people we encounter on a daily basis, even if we never see that person again. Chances are, the people we encounter will feel a sense of autonomy and identity to which every human being is entitled.
I therefore apologize for my pervious blog post because what I was trying to say and what I think I actually said were not the same thing. I do think Christians need to do a better job of owning our faith because I think it is a remarkable and disturbing sign of the times when non-Christians do a better job talking about who Jesus was than Christians do. That being said, however, I also think we as Christians need to do a better job encountering our neighbors in a way that encourages conversation, not superiority.
Wishing you a merry winter season of whatever holiday you do or do not celebrate. Because I'm Christian, I wish you a Merry Christian, and if that is not your holiday of choice, I invite you to tell me and I hope I haven't offended you.
Peace be with you,
Pastor Becki
Friday, December 3, 2010
"War on Christmas"
I was watching a documentary last night called "Lord Save Us From Your Followers" (2008) with Dan Merchant and a segment in the documentary talked about this war on Christmas. I've also heard commedian Stephen Colbert talk at some length about the war on Christmas and as a Christian, when you hear a phrase like that, your ears perk up. In the film, Merchant went into a restaurant clearly decorated for Christmas: elves, greenery, a tree, lights, etc. In the segment, he had editors insert a "bleep" to censor anytime he or the receptionist said the word Christmas, Christ, or Jesus. You could say holiday, but that was it. Anything else, Merchant bleeped it out.
It's interesting to think about how saying Merry Christmas is offensive in some circles. I've never said Merry Christmas to someone and had them turn on me with smoke coming out of their ears. I'm sensitive to the fact that not everyone is a Christian, but whenever someone answers me with a calm, "I'm Jewish" I can answer back with a smile, "Happy Hanukkah" and they appreciate that. It's very calm, very festive, and not a big deal.
In the retail place I was working in before going into ministry, we sold all kinds of holiday decorations (we were a party retail store) and in the last couple of years, I've noticed more and more Santa decorations and fewer and fewer Christian-themed decorations. In fact the only religious-themed Christmas deco we carried last year were clearance items left over for the year before; nothing new came in at all if it was a religious theme. It all seems really strange to me because we had four whole aisles dedicated to Christmas and only an eight-foot section set aside for Hanukkah. We had nothing for Kwanza. If you go into the mall, you see Christmas trees in the large hallways and in most of the department stores. There are Christmas balls hanging from the ceiling and Christmas music playing over the intercom system. I never hear Hanukkah music playing over the intercom. If I say Merry Christmas to someone and it offends them, it's only because most places have taught us that the only holiday that really counts this time of the year is Christmas. And you can't say you're not decorating for Christmas when clearly -- and big surprise here, the Jewish folks know what 'Santa Baby" is really all about -- you are decorating for Christmas. Own what you're doing.
In a religiously pluralistic society, it's hard to think about how we go about celebrating the holidays without offending our neighbors. I think we've gotten to a point where we've taken things a step further than the need to go. Where do you draw the line between what religious imagery is acceptable and what isn't? Christmas is a holiday that celebrates the anniversary of the birth of our Savior. Santa Claus is just extra, but we've gotten to a place where more people associate Christmas with Santa than they do with Christ. Isn't it interesting?
And here I have to get on my soap box for a sentence or two: If my Merry Christmas offends you, you're too sensitive. I respect your right to believe in what you want or to not believe in what you want, but it's about give and take: you have to respect me, too, for what I believe in.
In the small town where I live, down on the square there is a large nativity scene and Christmas decorations. The signs on the lampposts say "Merry Christmas." The store fronts are all decorated for Christmas. I have yet to see anything decorated for Hanukkah and I'm sure I won't see anything decorated for Kwanza. Isn't it interesting? Is it wrong to put a nativity scene in a public square if it's sponsored by the chamber of commerce? Maybe. I have to admit, I'm not really sure. I think it's an interesting question. I haven't heard anyone speaking up in favor of taking it apart in the interest of religious sensitivity, and I suspect in this small town, I won't.
I don't necessarily think "War on Christmas" is the right term. I think what we have is a changing society that has moved towards a place where we are sensitive to our religious differences. I don't think that's inherently a bad thing. What I do think is dangerous is for Christians to get so wrapped up in the consumerism of the holiday that they forget the reason for the season. As a Christian, I'm going to continue to wish people a Merry Christmas because I claim my faith. And like I said, if someone tells me they don't celebrate Christmas, I look at that as opening up a line for conversation.
Ask what they do celebrate. If they don't celebrate anything, tell them you wish them a merry winter. We have to stop getting offended so easily by little things. We have to learn to be accepting and loving of each other without shoving our values down someone else's throat. But we also have to be willing to claim our faith as our own and live like we believe it.
One of the conclusions Merchant came to in his film is that if people are sketchy about Christians, it's because Christians have maimed their ability -- maimed, not lost -- to engage in effective conversation about their faith. Merchant discovered that non-Christians have an easier time talking about the Christian faith than Christians have talking about the Christian faith. What's wrong with this picture?
If we're going to reflect the light of Christ in this season, we need to do it with grace. Proceed with grace in everything you do, as God showed his grace to us. That's what this season is about: recognizing the brilliance of God's plan and the beauty of the grace that God gave to us freely in His Son Jesus Christ. It's about meeting the season with anticipation and a heart that is waiting and listening for Christ. We are all to be innkeepers, preparing room in our hearts and thoughts for the Lord. As you go through the advent season, may you feel yourself bathed in the warmth and light of Christ. May He make you bold to own your faith and wish people a Merry Christmas because that's what you celebrate. Don't censor Jesus Christ. Own it.
Merry Christmas,
Pastor Becki
It's interesting to think about how saying Merry Christmas is offensive in some circles. I've never said Merry Christmas to someone and had them turn on me with smoke coming out of their ears. I'm sensitive to the fact that not everyone is a Christian, but whenever someone answers me with a calm, "I'm Jewish" I can answer back with a smile, "Happy Hanukkah" and they appreciate that. It's very calm, very festive, and not a big deal.
In the retail place I was working in before going into ministry, we sold all kinds of holiday decorations (we were a party retail store) and in the last couple of years, I've noticed more and more Santa decorations and fewer and fewer Christian-themed decorations. In fact the only religious-themed Christmas deco we carried last year were clearance items left over for the year before; nothing new came in at all if it was a religious theme. It all seems really strange to me because we had four whole aisles dedicated to Christmas and only an eight-foot section set aside for Hanukkah. We had nothing for Kwanza. If you go into the mall, you see Christmas trees in the large hallways and in most of the department stores. There are Christmas balls hanging from the ceiling and Christmas music playing over the intercom system. I never hear Hanukkah music playing over the intercom. If I say Merry Christmas to someone and it offends them, it's only because most places have taught us that the only holiday that really counts this time of the year is Christmas. And you can't say you're not decorating for Christmas when clearly -- and big surprise here, the Jewish folks know what 'Santa Baby" is really all about -- you are decorating for Christmas. Own what you're doing.
In a religiously pluralistic society, it's hard to think about how we go about celebrating the holidays without offending our neighbors. I think we've gotten to a point where we've taken things a step further than the need to go. Where do you draw the line between what religious imagery is acceptable and what isn't? Christmas is a holiday that celebrates the anniversary of the birth of our Savior. Santa Claus is just extra, but we've gotten to a place where more people associate Christmas with Santa than they do with Christ. Isn't it interesting?
And here I have to get on my soap box for a sentence or two: If my Merry Christmas offends you, you're too sensitive. I respect your right to believe in what you want or to not believe in what you want, but it's about give and take: you have to respect me, too, for what I believe in.
In the small town where I live, down on the square there is a large nativity scene and Christmas decorations. The signs on the lampposts say "Merry Christmas." The store fronts are all decorated for Christmas. I have yet to see anything decorated for Hanukkah and I'm sure I won't see anything decorated for Kwanza. Isn't it interesting? Is it wrong to put a nativity scene in a public square if it's sponsored by the chamber of commerce? Maybe. I have to admit, I'm not really sure. I think it's an interesting question. I haven't heard anyone speaking up in favor of taking it apart in the interest of religious sensitivity, and I suspect in this small town, I won't.
I don't necessarily think "War on Christmas" is the right term. I think what we have is a changing society that has moved towards a place where we are sensitive to our religious differences. I don't think that's inherently a bad thing. What I do think is dangerous is for Christians to get so wrapped up in the consumerism of the holiday that they forget the reason for the season. As a Christian, I'm going to continue to wish people a Merry Christmas because I claim my faith. And like I said, if someone tells me they don't celebrate Christmas, I look at that as opening up a line for conversation.
Ask what they do celebrate. If they don't celebrate anything, tell them you wish them a merry winter. We have to stop getting offended so easily by little things. We have to learn to be accepting and loving of each other without shoving our values down someone else's throat. But we also have to be willing to claim our faith as our own and live like we believe it.
One of the conclusions Merchant came to in his film is that if people are sketchy about Christians, it's because Christians have maimed their ability -- maimed, not lost -- to engage in effective conversation about their faith. Merchant discovered that non-Christians have an easier time talking about the Christian faith than Christians have talking about the Christian faith. What's wrong with this picture?
If we're going to reflect the light of Christ in this season, we need to do it with grace. Proceed with grace in everything you do, as God showed his grace to us. That's what this season is about: recognizing the brilliance of God's plan and the beauty of the grace that God gave to us freely in His Son Jesus Christ. It's about meeting the season with anticipation and a heart that is waiting and listening for Christ. We are all to be innkeepers, preparing room in our hearts and thoughts for the Lord. As you go through the advent season, may you feel yourself bathed in the warmth and light of Christ. May He make you bold to own your faith and wish people a Merry Christmas because that's what you celebrate. Don't censor Jesus Christ. Own it.
Merry Christmas,
Pastor Becki
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