Happy Thanksgiving holiday everyone!

 

The holiday season is moving swiftly and believe it or not, this Sunday marks the beginning of Advent!  On Sunday morning we will gather for our first Sunday breakfast and we will make Advent wreaths.  Saint Nicholas will be visiting for our kiddos.  Our Advent devotional will be available to you and our Giving Tree will be up.  Christmas is imminent. 

 

On occasion, the ideas of special and busy are either yoked or interchangeable at this time of the year:  This is a busy time of year and this is a special time of the year.  The phrases are commonly indistinguishable.  I would like to invite you to an Advent where the phrases are at least unrelated and at most opposites.  This will indeed be a busy season, but I will praying for you to take a moment every day to reflect on why this Advent season of anticipation is special.  We are all getting ready for Jesus who loves us so much and has come to save us.  There is nothing greater than this. 

 

Having read through the Advent devotional already, this could be a wonderful tool for you.  Maybe we can take a moment each day to read and reflect.  Maybe it is a matter of coming to the Lessons and Carols service and allowing the beautiful readings and music to wash over you and move your heart (and if you have little ones, taking advantage of childcare this time of the year!).  Christmas Eve services will certainly be a culminating peaceful moment to turn our attention to our Emmanuel.  How ever you find a way to pause, I pray that you will have a chance to separate "busy" and "special" and that God will be with us all as we anticipate His coming.