Truly a Gift
Advent can be filled with worry about finding the perfect Christmas gifts. Deep down we want people in our lives to know they are special and that we love them. But sometimes we overlook the greatest gift of all… our very presence. Our spiritual ancestors were also worried — often about survival in the midst of political occupation. And the response of the scriptures is “the Holy Living One is with you.” Like a shepherd who never leaves the flock, we are held close. This season, we are invited to be the gift of presence for our loved ones, for our communities, for those who need it most.
Over the next four weeks we will look at four distinct ways of being present as we prepare for Christmas:
- Being present with Hope
- Being present with Peace
- Being present with Joy
- Being present with Love
These culminate on Christmas Eve when we explore “Being present with Light.” The overwhelming message of the Christmas story is the assurance that we, too, are children of the Holy One. In this, our very presence is a gift if we will only allow the Spirit to move in and through us. Every day of our ordinary lives, we can show up — be present — and proclaim the assurance of hope, peace, joy, and love to those who need it most.
Join us each week and be sure to invite your friends, neighbors, and anyone God puts in your path. The world needs to hear the message of Jesus!
-Pastor Shannon
P.S. – “Now then, tell my servant, David, ‘This is what YHWH Omnipotent says: I took you from the pastures and from following sheep to be the ruler of my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you went…” — 2 Samuel 7: 8-9a