Rev. Kathi's Message
By now, hopefully your stockings are hung by the chimney with care, your halls have been decked (with boughs of holly or your decoration of choice), and it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go!
But we’re not there yet. The season of waiting and anticipation continues for a few more days. What will represent the birth of Christ for you this year? Are you anticipating seeing loved ones who live far away? Are you waiting to sing beloved Christmas music that you’ve been abstaining from for 11 months? Or maybe you’re awaiting the results of a medical test. Anticipation can take many forms.
As we move towards the arrival of the baby Jesus, we remain in this space of anticipation. We know that Jesus has already been born and lived the course of his earthly life. But the celebration of his birth hasn’t yet arrived. Will the story change this year? Highly unlikely. But will we learn something new from the retelling of the story? Hopefully, faithfully, yes.
For my last message of the year, I would like to wish everyone a wonderful Christmas and the very best in the coming new year.
This Christmas will be different for me. It will be time to let go of some traditions and maybe start some new ones. It will be a year of finding joy in new places. It may not be easy, but I am reminded that it is love which has no substitute at Christmas. It’s love that lasts beyond the presents, smells, sounds, sights, and tastes of the holiday. Even as memories fade, the love never leaves. I can’t think of a single thing worth clinging to more than that.
May God’s love emerge amidst the dazzle of all the things and the nostalgia of all the traditions in this expectant time of hope, peace, and joy.
I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for the support and love that you have sent my way this year.
Love,
Kathi
