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

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

Luke 1:41

When we think about Christmas, sometimes we see it as the end of the story. For us, it comes at the end of a calendar year and we quickly move on to the new year. But really, the birth of Jesus is only the beginning. God sent Jesus to Earth to make a way to have a relationship with us and that’s a really big deal for us! It’s where hope begins.

It’s easy for us to see this picture of Mary and Elizabeth, filled with joy and hope–filled with the presence of the Holy Spirit as they anticipate the birth of Jesus. However, I’m reminded of just how inconvenient, unconventional and burdensome this endeavor was for Mary–and yet there is immense joy and hope. There is peace in the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Friends, does anticipating Christmas seem inconvenient, unconventional or burdensome to you this year? Maybe you have lost ones you love, have struggled with your health, have had a big move or change or loss of work. Sometimes, if we are honest, it can be challenging to look in anticipation to the hope of Christmas when we can’t see past the valid burdens we carry.

Mary carried burdens. As a young, unmarried woman such a pregnancy would have accompanied many social and relational dynamics that would have been a whirlwind that would not have favored Mary. Not to mention, pregnancy and delivering a baby is no small undertaking.

Whether you are struggling to embrace this season or are excited that the Christmas season is upon us, I pray you will be like Mary and embrace the promise and hope of the season, despite the real struggles we face. After all, that is what the hope of Jesus is all about.

Romans says these words, “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 NLT

Where in your life do you feel like you need more hope, joy, or peace? Memorize this verse, inserting your own name where you see the word “you.” Then, pray it that way, asking God to completely fill you up with hope as we anticipate the birth of Christ.

Jenna Bush

Artwork: “Jump for Joy” www.artbycorby.etsy.com

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

There are three names engraved on a bronze plaque near the flag pole on Forest Avenue next to the church parking area. The names are in memory of three soldiers who were killed in Vietnam between 1969 and 1970. These men gave their lives for their country; may they always be remembered.

In 1971, I was serving in the U.S. Air Force as a nurse in Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam. It was a lonely place to be at Christmas. One of the men, Sgt. Ken Hollis, wrote a comparison between Christmas in the United States and Christmas in Vietnam for the base newspaper. I kept that article and here is a quote from it 50 years later: “An anxiously awaited extra card or two from faraway loved ones and the waiting lines at the post office for packages marked ‘Don’t open until Christmas’ – Christmas in Vietnam is. Worshipping at the base chapel and celebrating the birth of Christ – Christmas in Vietnam is.”

It starts with the birth of Christ as an infant who brought peace, love, and hope into a shattered world. God had sent us his Son to follow in his footsteps and learn the path of salvation through His death and resurrection.

In our lonesome and troubled times, may we always live by John 14:27.

Cheryl Walsh

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

 2 Corinthians 9:8

During this season of Advent, we are preparing for the coming of Christ. One way we celebrate Advent is by gathering with family, friends, church members, and even strangers to enjoy food. Many of us have been blessed abundantly and are able to have a variety of healthy produce at these gatherings and throughout the year. Unfortunately, there are members in our community who do not have the same access to fresh produce.

This is why God has blessed our community with places such as Shalom Farms. I have volunteered at Shalom Farms for many years, most recently attending with Trinity’s Youth as shown in this picture. As a volunteer harvester, I have grown to appreciate my blessings. I have also made a connection between the work of harvest and the healthy produce that is accessible to me. Throughout my lifetime, Shalom Farms has grown and even moved locations so that it could sow a larger bounty of produce to share.

Let us grow like Shalom Farms and be generous this season by sharing what God has given us knowing that those who give abundantly will receive much more in return. 2 Corinthians 9:8 reminds us to have faith that if we give freely and generously, God will always provide what we need.

Natalie Dike

Second Week of Advent

….“A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all people will see God’s salvation.’”

 

Luke 3:4-6 

As we look at the Advent bags that were distributed by our church last year, we are reminded that Advent is a season. 

It is a season of joy. A season of anticipation. A season of excitement. Each day the Advent candle burns brightly, providing us light as we prepare for the way of the Lord.

These bags also remind us that we are a part of a community of faith. As we enter every day, and face the challenges and the joys that life brings, we are surrounded and supported by the love provided by the members of this faith community. We are reminded that throughout our journey in life, we are never alone.

What a blessing!

In the scripture for today, Luke tells us to prepare for the way of the Lord and to make paths straight for him. This preparation is a journey, a lifelong journey. As I look at the nativity scene that is on our fireplace mantel throughout the year, I am reminded that this journey does not start or stop with the Advent season, but the joy and excitement of Advent needs to be experienced and shared daily as we seek for all people to see God’s salvation.

Let us share our joy, anticipation, and excitement!

Ken Beck