Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ!
Last Sunday we began our Advent journey. Lighting candles, we count down the weeks until our Christmas celebration. For many, it is a joyous time of the year. After all, ‘tis the season to be happy.
But what if you are sad? What if you are in the midst of a challenging time in life, filled with struggles? What if you are grieving the loss of a loved one or the passing of a dream? What then? Is Advent and the coming Christmas not for you this year?
Not hardly… In fact, it might be precisely what your spirit needs.
Historically, Advent has been a time of year in which the church has longed for the coming of Christ to restore a broken world. Humanity and the whole creation is in trouble on both macro and micro levels. There is a real need for peace, justice, and healing. Our individual griefs are part of and point to this larger reality. Though we might want to escape - and the lies of commercialism continue to tell us we can- the truth is that suffering is part of our lives.
Lest we become too discouraged, Christians have cling to the hope that is ours in Christ. Even though we might be sad and hurting, we can trust in God’s transforming grace. Because of Christ’s birth a long time ago, we have a glimpse of God’s intentions. God intends to be a part of a broken world out of an undying love for all life. God enters and teaches us a way to live that moves in the direction of life. Christ invites us to follow in the path of loving neighbors and enemies, of forming compassionate communities that care for those hurting most, of forgiveness that frees us from a self-centered and destructive past.
This Advent season, St. James provides resources to help us cling with hope, waiting for God’s coming. I mentioned last week that my Advent devotional, Threshold, provides daily encouragement and inspiration for those walking through times of transition (click here to sign up).
The Pastoral Care Team, under the caring leadership of Pastor Nancy Connor, has prepared a wonderful worship entitled, “Liturgy of Hope in a Time of Sorrow.” You can access this through the St. James YouTube channel (or use the link here). I invite you to worship using this calming and uplifting resource.
In addition, the Pastoral Care Team is decorating a tree in the sanctuary with Stars of Remembrance. Each star contains the name of someone who is being remembered this holiday season. To submit the names of your loved ones, click here.
Our Pastoral Care Team is always ready to visit and provide a careful listening ear for those who would like to talk. To contact them, kindly call the church office (952-890-4534). Let us know how we can help you.
I look forward to greeting you during worship in this Advent season. We gather on Sunday morning at 8:00 a.m. (inside and parking lot) and 9:30 a.m. (inside and online). We also offer a Wednesday night worship of Holden Evening Prayer (with communion) at 7:00 p.m. (inside and online). It is my prayer that these worship opportunities will provide a word of Advent comfort no matter how you are feeling.
In Christ’s Light,
Pastor Walt