Almost Advent Greetings to you!

Dear Congregation,

 Almost Advent Greetings to you! The season of Advent begins this Sunday, coming right on the heels of Thanksgiving. It seems as if there has been an even earlier push than usual this year in merchandisers’ advertisements that gallop through the Halloween and Thanksgiving holidays, urging shoppers to begin buying Christmas gifts. The rational behind this is the fear that there will be a shortage of desirable Christmas presents because of a backup in the supply chain due to the pandemic.

 The commercialization of Christmas has risen to new heights (or descended to new depths!) when the message is that Christmas won’t come if the most wanted gifts aren’t available. I think this loaded barge and Grinch pic is a great visual to counteract that thinking. I love the hopeful-looking Grinch’s words speculating, “Maybe Christmas doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more.“  For Christians, there’s no “maybe”. Christmas means a lot more!  

Advent is a meaningful special season of preparation for the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ, the reason for Christmas. I invite you to savor the season of Advent without rushing through it. Rest in its special beauty and sense of expectation. Be in worship, participate in daily devotions, look around for ways that you can share the love of the Christ Child with others.

In Christ’s love,

Pastor Candy

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