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Every year, I look forward to the fourth quarter. Not for financial reasons, but because the last three months of the year are by far my favorite. Yes, there is something about the browning of the leaves and the crispness in the air that lifts my spirits. But, for me, the best part of this time of year is what my family calls the "holiday trifecta."
In our home, one of the signs that the holiday trifecta is upon us can be found on our mantle. We begin with fall colors -- a simple garland of orange firethorn berries strung with luminous orange lights. After Thanksgiving, we will shift to pinecone-accented winter greenery and soft white lights. But for the next three months, the gentle glow of soothing light will fill our family room. It is always a comfortable place to be, but never more so than when our mantle is ablaze with the light and color of this season.
As the calendar flips to October, my prayer is that all of you will have times and places that refresh and restore you with quiet, peace, and hope. In our family, the holiday trifecta is a time for beloved traditions, both new and old. It is a time when the gifts of the spirit -- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self-control -- feel a little bit closer, perhaps even a little bit more attainable. In a time when the best of human nature seems to be under assault, I pray that subtle reminders of simple blessings and shared humanity might help us all to hold fast to what is truly good and important in this life.
I also hope that Larchmont Avenue Church will be a place where you are reminded of those good, eternal things. Like the soft glow of a holiday mantle, I pray that our times together as a congregation will lift our spirits, give us a sense of peace, and strengthen us to keep looking for the light.
A very happy Holiday Trifecta to all of you!
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