12/18/2019
We just celebrated the third week of Advent which indicates that Christmas is very near. As it draws closer, sometimes the sense of urgency increases which seems to further shove the reason for the season aside.
I saw this picture of a wreath on a facebook post from a friend. I had never seen it before and think it is very profound. Christmas is the season but Jesus is the reason. It made me stop to ponder…
-With all of the Christmas preparations we seem to impose upon ourselves, do we always remember the truth behind all the trappings? Even as a pastoral staff, this season brings to us additional work and stress in addition to the busy-ness of the season with our own lives. We too are challenged to look beyond all of the deadlines for what is to be accomplished to the real truth and meaning of the season.
-The wreath is divided in half. I had to ask myself, out of everything that I seem to be busy with at this time of the year, does the correct reason get at least ½ of my heart and attention? Or is it getting less than ½?
As we draw nearer to Christmas Day, may we draw nearer to Jesus. May we remember that Jesus is the reason for the season.
Rev. Patti Napier
Archived Posts
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It’s kind of crazy when you think about it. Wisdom in the Bible is all about listening. Of course it makes sense that wisdom would start with listening to God, to God’s law and commandments, as well as the promptings and leadings of the Holy Spirit.
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I reflected a lot on the passage about Zacchaeus because it has been written off as “been there, read that, little guy in a tree.” But it is so rich in getting to the heart of what it means to be saved by grace through faith—to live our lives out of gratitude rather than obligation.
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This last Sunday I had so much more to share than time to share it. The last Emotional Management Technique was to stay present in the process. Just as Jesus stayed with the woman who was judged and found guilty by the angry crowd, we stay by our children and our friends, especially when they need us the most. Here a couple of examples...