Like it or not, waiting is just part of being a person, no matter how much tech we throw at our lives and reduce it. Uncomfortable as it often seems to have to wait, time is built into the experience being a person—so what are we supposed to do with this stuff?

Christianity—with its fully-God/fully-human Jesus, victorious in defeat and making us more alive through his death—serves a great feast of the emptiness of paradox. Consequently, as Christians, it is good for us to learn how to deal with seeming irreconcilables*.

“Hurry Up and Wait” is the paradox particular to Advent, the season in which we both scurry to make ready while also trying to slow down so as to be able to recognize God when God breaks into our lives where we did not expect that to happen. Crazy-making as it sounds, this conundrum is one that, with a little attention, is very recognizable in postmodern daily life, and one that we solve fairly regularly.

As mentioned earlier, technology has virtually eliminated waiting in so many aspects of our lives. (And thank the saints and angels for it!) But! Some amount of waiting is inevitable, and what we do with it helps or hinders our relating to the Divine.

Most people I know use what little empty time the frenzied world will yet allow in passively scrolling a feed on a mobile device. That’s just what lots of folks do now when there’s empty time. No judgement.

Walking in the spirit, though, asks that we bring light to the darkness and make conscious those things that were unconscious.

Consequently, as we await the Presence (Gr. παρουσία "presence" -> Lat. advent: “coming; arrival”), we have options about how we’ll use the Time.

We may sleep through it, as do the "foolish virgins" in the parable we regularly hear this season: to be perhaps unpleasantly surprised; or we may, as John the Baptist chose, wake up and start making trouble for oppressive power structures, so that we and the whole world are a ready banquet for the Prince of Peace who never comes as the expected king of anything. Rather, God arrives as the poor and despised, and in yet another paradox, is already among us! Indeed, Christ has never left us, and the deep lesson Advent would have us learn is that we are the ones who must arrive regarding this understanding.

Wishing you peace, 

Gregory Peebles 

_____________

*Cheat sheet: nothing is irreconcilable! “…and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth…” (Col. 1:20) The Prince of Peace has done the reconciling on the cross, wherein is resolved all paradox.

Year-End Pledges & Gifts

As we near the end of the year, we encourage all who can fulfill their 2025 pledge to do so by December 31. This will help us stay in solid financial shape heading into the new year. If you have any questions about your outstanding balance, please reach out to Br. Will in the office. Please note that the office will be closed for business on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.

COS recently received a generous additional gift from one family who had already fulfilled their 2025 pledge. If you have had a bountiful year or are otherwise in a position to make a gift to Church of Our Saviour beyond your 2025 pledge, we would be grateful for your additional offering at the end of the year. With the final bills for the construction of our new building due and loan payments underway, gifts of any amount are critically important.

Donations can be made in a variety of ways, such as checks, stock transfers, etc., and we will be happy to facilitate what works best for you. Please reach out to either Br. Will or one of the wardens (Peter Civetta and Betsy Sharpe). Thank you for all you do for Church of Our Saviour!

Final Adult Forum: Advent Series | Sunday at 9am

On Sundays at 9am in the conference room, over the four weeks of Advent, we will explore Mary’s connection to our Advent journey. We will hear some ancient plainsong honoring Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Our practical musical focus will be learning to chant the Song of Mary in English (The Magnificat, or “My soul magnifies the Lord”).

A Service for the Longest Night | Dec 21 at 5pm

Join us at 5pm on December 21, the shortest day and longest night of the year, to make room for our sorrow and hope as we bring our whole selves — even our hurting hearts— to the Holy Child of Bethlehem.

This service offers space for grief and sadness during the holiday season through contemplative music, readings, and prayer. We will light candles to remind us of God’s presence, and individual prayer for healing with anointing will also be offered. The Service of the Longest Night gives space for the meaning of Advent: our saving hope promises to come as a light that our bleakest moments cannot conquer. Christ is near. We are not alone.

Christmas Services at COS | Dec 24 & 25

We will offer two Eucharistic services on Christmas Eve, December 24, at 4pm and 8pm, both will include music.

We will offer a simple, spoken Eucharist on Christmas Day, December 25, at 10am.

No Sunday School Dec 28

There will be no Sunday School on Dec 28. Sunday School will resume Jan 4.

COS Antiracism Team Updates & Holiday Event

In January they will host the first Antiracism Educational Activity in an adult forum on January 11 at 9am. Margie Palmer will use a video about the Unity Walk in Richmond, Virginia, to help participants initiate courageous conversations about racism and antiracism within ourselves, in our country, and here in our community.

Celebration of New Ministry for Pastor Charlotte | Jan 17

Save the date on January 17 at 5pm as we gather at COS to celebrate our (new) rector, The Rev. Charlotte Johnson and her new ministry here at COS! More details to come...

Coming Soon: Epiphany Programming

In the season of the epiphany, adult COSers will have two opportunities for ongoing formation and education. During the 9 am forum, The Rev. Richard Wendel, PhD, will lead sessions as a prelude to serious bible study, contextualizing our sacred scriptures in history and culture. Plan to join us select Sundays in Epiphany, and "level up" your bible reading. (start date TBA)

Likewise, on Monday nights in late January and early February (start date TBA), Tristan Kirvin will lead a 3-session study on the Infancy Gospel of Thomas. Join this small group study for a unique journey into a "lost" text, exploring other birth narratives and magic in the ancient world.

Atrium Update

The week before last, the atrium officially moved to its new quarters on the second floor of the new Parish Commons. We began our time together with a happy and gratitude-filled procession from our temporary quarters in the rectory to our new space. We appreciate all the help that our wonderful staff gave us during our time cohabiting with them, and helping with our move to the new space. Once we got to the second floor, we had an advent celebration and considered the infancy stories of the annunciation and the visitation. Both were filled with mysteries, and we pondered those mysteries while looking at art and listening to music related to those events. Happy advent!

Pop Up Pageant Snapshots

Thank you to everyone who made this year's pop up pageant a delightful experience, especially Nissa Cox, Peter Civetta, everyone who brought food to share, and everyone who volunteered to fill pageant roles. What a classic display of COS community and love!

Towels & Transit/Grocery Cards Needed for CFF

The Care for Friends Foot Clinic is in need of bath-sized towels. If you have new or gently used towels you can donate please leave them in a bag just inside the stairs across from the elevator of the Parish Commons (leading down to CFF Community Hub Space). They are also in need of $5/$10 CTA transit cards or grocery store gift cards (in any amount) for guests which can be dropped in the offering plate or at the office. Please contact Hope Pavich with any questions.

Caring for Our Neighbors Affected by ICE Raids in Lake/Northern Cook County

Our communities in Lake County and Northern Cook County have been greatly affected by the immigration raids as families have been torn apart and anxiety has spread. We know of 11 members of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe who have been detained. Three have been released, but eight were deported. Their families struggle with fear, the loss of loved ones, and lack of income.

A group of parishioners from Church of the Holy Spirit, Lake Forest, led by Angela Bilger, Brooke Tolhurst, and Amanda Wright have organized the Immigrant Neighbor Care Network to serve their neighbors affected by ICE raids. This network, which is open to all, is making efforts to provide food, clothing, transportation, financial, and other support to those in need of these services. They are coordinating with Christ Episcopal Church in Waukegan, Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, and others connected to the immigrant community.

Please contact Angela Bilger if you would like to join them in their efforts.

Diocesan Cycle of Prayer for the Week of December 21

Please pray for the ecumenical relationships between the churches in full Communion with the Episcopal Church: the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; Church of North India; Church of South India; Church of Pakistan; Church of Bangladesh; the Old Catholic Churches; the Philippine Independent Church; the Mar Thoma Syrian Church of Malabar; and the Moravian Church in America, Northern and Southern Provinces.