. . . we shop for Christmas gifts, given in the spirit of sheer celebration because of Jesus’ birth. We bake cookies or pies or cakes. We prepare for the Christmas feast. And last night, in another small act of preparation, a few of us put together Advent packets for our preschoolers—because they, too, should know something of what we are preparing to celebrate, and they (and their parents) should know that this church cares about them, and supports and prays for them as they learn.

Upcoming events in our church community include, in a variation on McKnight’s traditional cookie walk, a cookie fellowship and celebration time following worship, prepared for us by the M&M’s—please see the announcement in this newsletter for details. We’ll also have a Blue Christmas service on the 21st—anyone who wants or needs a time to be allowed to grieve, or simply to admit that they’re not always feeling joyous right now, will find this service a sacred space to be honest, and to bring their grief before God. And of course we’ll have a Christmas Eve candlelight service—simple and holy.

In the meantime, look for glimmerings of light. God is already with us, and continues to act in our world.

I’ll see you in church—

Becky

Prayer

God of light and life,

We are seeking you—

help us to find you.

Help us to notice your presence

and your gifts to us.

Fill us with joyful expectation

and the sure knowledge of your incarnation and return.

Help us to clear space in our lives

where hurt and destruction have no place,

where a little child holds sway.

Clear our lives of hatred and despair,

Sow seeds of joy and peace,

That shoots of hope may spring forth

And we may live in harmony

With one another. Amen.