“Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can.”

 

John Wesley

Last year the Trinity Stitchers couldn’t meet in person because of COVID-19 restrictions, so we did all of our projects from home. We were asked to make 25 Christmas stockings for the residents in healthcare at The Hermitage. We had used most of our Christmas fabric the year before and really only had scraps left over. This however wasn’t a problem, as our leader Janet Hill always tells us, “The Stitchers don’t waste anything!” So, the patchwork stockings in the picture were made from our Christmas fabric scraps. The scraps became a blessing because we were able to make something useful that would also bring someone joy.

As I reflect on the text from John Wesley, when we do good things by the means available to us when and wherever we can for anyone we see in need, we become a blessing. This is how I see the Stitchers. We make lap quilts, prayer shawls and squares, scarves, booties, masks and Christmas stockings and crafts. Our mission is to provide items which convey our commitment to share God’s love and grace.

During Advent we anticipate the birth of Christ, the greatest blessing of all. He came as a servant and we are likewise called to serve. What greater blessing is there than to be able to serve your fellow man in a time of need?

Let us pray this simple prayer offered by Father Tim, a character in Jan Karon’s book At Home in Mitford.

“Father, make me a blessing to someone today, through Christ our Lord, Amen.”

Barbi Fitz

 “Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before! ‘Maybe Christmas,’ he thought, ‘doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas… perhaps… means a little bit more!” 

 

Dr. Seuss

Almost every year around Christmas, we make Christmas cookies. Some of our favorite Christmas memories are when we decorate too many (Mom’s opinion, not ours) sugar cookies. In the past, we’ve invited friends over and ate too many cookies, drank too much cocoa, and turned the Christmas carols up too loud. These memories are really special to us, and not just because of the cookies. Several hours of fun, bonding time with friends and family; this, unlike many other parts of the holiday season, cannot be bought at the store. These are precious moments of time when even the smallest acts of kindness show how much love you have for the people around you.

Making Christmas cookies takes time, a valuable resource in your life. By giving up that time to make cookies for your friends and family, it shows how much you love them, and you didn’t need to buy them fancy presents. The cookies come from your heart. That is what the Grinch learned at the end of the story; even after he stole their presents, the Whos still sang together, expressing their love for one another. And, our love for each other (and our love for cookies) is the best gift we can give or receive.

Laurel Vernon *with an assist from Elise Vernon

Third Week of Advent

I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD.”

 

Psalm 122:1

Since childhood, I have loved going to church. I grew up attending a small country church, and every Sunday was as much a reunion with family and friends as it was a time to worship God, sing hymns, and study the Bible. Church services, for me, have always been about communion with God and community with others.

During the past two years, as we have dealt with the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic, church connection has largely been online. Our homes have become the “house of the Lord,” with help from Vimeo and YouTube. We can still care for others, even if social distancing, sanitizers and masks are required. It’s possible to lift up family and friends with a thoughtful social media post, email, text or call, even if we can’t visit in person. And on the occasions when we can go to church services in person, perform acts of service or spend time with others, we treasure those times even more than we did before.

Our waiting for the end of pandemic restrictions is much like our preparation for the coming of Jesus during Advent. Even when everything seems dismal and dispiriting, we know that the time will come to celebrate the birth of Jesus. And as Christians, we also look forward to the day when Jesus will come again, when we will gather with Him and our loved ones in the “house of the Lord” – His Kingdom – in a joyful reunion for eternity, never to be parted again.

Caroline Cardwell

 “Love came down at Christmas, love all lovely, love divine, love was born at Christmas, star and angels gave the sign.” 

 

From Love Came Down at Christmas (Rossetti)

Don’t you LOVE Christmastime!

Trinity Advent books always have been something I love to read during this season.

“LOVE CAME DOWN AT CHRISTMAS.” I was not familiar with this particular Christmas poem, by Rossetti. So, I did a little research.

“LOVE CAME DOWN AT CHRISTMAS” is a Christmas poem written by Christina Rossetti. The poem was first published in a diary, back in 1885. Some years later, around 1893, this poem was included in a collection of verses titled, “CHRISTMASTIDE.”

Many composers have set this lovely poem to music as a Christmas carol. Also, it has been sung as a traditional Irish melody, “Garton”.

Jars of Clay (who has performed at Trinity) gave the poem a modern boost in their 2007 Christmas album. Which brings me to the December 11 date for this Advent collection.

After an American composer set the text for solo soprano, harp, and 4-part chorus, later, a new setting was arranged. This time by a British composer. And so, on December 11, the choir performed the poem/song at Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree!

LOVE IS ON THE WAY!

O God our Father, send into the darkness of this troubled world, the light and love of your son.

Let the star of hope touch the minds of us all with the bright beams of mercy and truth and love,
so that we can walk the way that was revealed to us by the shepherds of Bethlehem- walk with JOY to the manger!

God, who has declared thy love to men by the birth of your holy child at Bethlehem, let us welcome him. And his love for us!

Indeed, LOVE IS ON THE WAY!

Connie Harter Burton

 O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, Your boughs can teach a lesson That constant faith and hope sublime Lend strength and comfort through all time. O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, Your boughs can teach a lesson.

 

O Christmas Tree

“Yea! We’re Going to Decorate the Christmas Tree. Christmas Is Coming”

What a thrilling time of anticipation for us all as we decorate our tree. Maybe friends or family members will help us do it. The sweet smell of the tree reminds us of outside winter. The glow of the twinkling lights shine warmth and brightness into the room. The ornaments may be homemade or may represent our trips or hobbies. There may even be a beautifully wrapped present with a big red bow under the tree.

Of all the secular Christmas decorations, the Christmas tree brings the hope and expectations of the upcoming season – family time, delicious food, no school and sharing gifts with loved ones. Like the warmth and hope our tree gives in anticipating Christmas, Advent offers anticipation for Christ to come into our lives daily and for him to come among us again.

As Christians, we celebrate Jesus’ birth at Christmas, but we know the big story is that he loves us and gives us a way to live with him eternally. Daily God (and Jesus) offer us comfort and grace. Sometimes we feel like we just had a hug from God! We have hope for our lives because Jesus taught us how to be good people and how to be his followers. We communicate with him through prayer to talk about anything. We feel that God is alive in us, needing us to work with him to shape us to be our best self.

So, this Christmas season, as you sit by your beautiful, twinkling Christmas tree, think of the hope, love, grace and comfort that God gives us every season. After all, God is the best present of all time!

Jan Reynolds