Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus!
Last Sunday was a special night in the life of the St. James community. Thanks to the leadership of Pastor Nancy and the Pastoral Care Team, and Birdie Olson and the Welcome Team, we hosted a Tree Lighting event. The snow, which today is rapidly melting, was in a sufficient quantity to serve as a picturesque backdrop for festivities. The chill in the air and on the ground had us bundled up and happily shuffling our feet.
A crowd of over seventy folks gathered for the tree lighting, bringing hats and mittens to donate to those in need of some warmth. It was good to see so many faces that I haven’t seen in a while. I was happy to learn of children getting vaccinated and families yearning to return once the process is completed.
There was joy in the simplicity of folks coming together in Jesus’s name, turning on the lights on a tree, the singing of Silent Night, and the collection of hats and mittens. It was just what my frazzled spirit needed. Christmas (or any time of the year) need not be overly complicated with “must-dos'“ and “must-haves.” The tree lighting reminded me to breathe, step back, and celebrate life’s simple blessings.
It is my prayer that in these last days of Advent that you find similar moments where your spirit can be refreshed. May you delight in simple joys that remind you of Christ’s great love for you and others.
I look forward to greeting you during these final Advent worships and on Christmas Eve/Day. Be sure to check out the various worship options that we have this year. And remember, during this heightened time of communal spreading of COVID, for the safety of all who gather, we need to register for Christmas Eve worship ahead of time.
Breathe. Dwell. Delight….
in Christ’s Light,
Pastor Walt