Waiting for Advent

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light…

Isaiah

This Sunday we will celebrate our annual children’s Christmas pageant during both services. This year’s production is entitled “People Look East – a Nativity Play,” and it covers the entire story of Christ’s birth from the prophets through the arrival of the Wise Men. It should be a wonderful time and we are so proud of how hard our younglings have been practicing!

This quote from Isaiah is one that is included in both our play this weekend and in our Lessons & Carols readings for Christmas Eve. It is an essential passage for this time of year for many reasons, but here is one key point we sometimes forget:

Like life, Advent is a journey. It takes time and requires patience. Though we may wish it, we should never jump to Christmas too early. It takes time to prepare – our building, our choir, and, most importantly, our hearts for the arrival of the Child of Bethlehem.

So, for those of you who have been desperate to sing some Christmas carols, it is the fourth Sunday of Advent this weekend and with the play, we’re going to sing A LOT of them.

But I hope you will take the time to reread and truly listen to the Advent hymns we have been singing these last three weeks. Their lyrics are rich and full of meaning that will grow our faith.

Life is about the journey, my friends, not the destination. And Christmastide is so short, because Jesus’ birth is merely one step in a much more miraculous story.

Blessings, Pastor Janie