December 20, 2023

Beloved in Christ:

I am thinking of each of you tonight, less than a week before Christmas.

I know that many of you are preparing yourself and your family for a longed – for trip to visit loved ones. Some of you are preparing your homes and lives for loved ones to come and visit you here. Many of you are trying your best to corral the excitement of children, either as parents or as teachers, as we come closer to the end of this school term. Some kids struggle with anxiety even as the holiday approaches – teachers and school staff have a lot of important work on their hands till the very end of the last day of school. I’m thinking of you. Some of you live alone and may be just fine with that, or may be struggling a bit, wondering how you will spend your time next week. And some of you are grieving the death of a beloved partner, or family member, or dear friend. You are in my prayers, all of you.

Christmas time is, of course, full of our own expectations and memories, both wonderful and challenging. It’s worth a little time to measure our own expectations, and sort through what to hold on to, and what to let go of. That sorting might be different year by year, as our lives change.

Wherever you find yourself this year, know this: It is true.

God entered into human salvation history in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. From birth until death, God knows every human heart, every emotion, the joys and the deepest sorrows of being human, and in the Holy Spirit, is with each of you now, always. Because of love. God’s overwhelming love for God’s creation, and for each of you. There is no where you can go where God’s love is not.

Maybe plans next week don’t go quite right. Maybe weather or illness intervenes, or the kids fight, or the potatoes burn, or the plumbing gives up. It’s ok, and it will be ok. Because “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” This beloved prologue to the Gospel of John is true. The light, Jesus Christ, shines in the world because it shines in you, God’s beloveds.

A merry, good enough, loving Christmas to you all.

With my love,

Beth+