Answers to the questions

Dear Friends in Christ -

Last Saturday, I wrote about three things over which I had been pondering -
1. How I was going to preach on Christ the King Sunday about a "downer" Gospel text
2. What I am going to do about Christmas gifts for friends and family this year, since I haven't made things like I usually do
3. What I am going to for Advent Bible study this year at St. Paul's.

Well, the sermon went pretty well (Summary: The story of Jesus on the cross is a shocking story, a gruesome story, a story it's hard to explain to the kids. But it's also the most powerful story, because it reminds us that we are SAVED by God, who loves us and continues to extend himself for us.).

As for the Christmas gifts, God has helped me understand that getting people stuff won't satisfy my desire to give and to connect. Though there's something that always compels me to want to rush out and be part of the Black Friday experience (I think it's the wave of energy that comes with shared experience), God convinced me to stay home and enjoy the rare pleasure of sleeping in AND the peace of not having overspent my budget. For Christmas this year, I'm going to give experiences to the people I love - a gift certificate for lunch with a friend, an album of music I've enjoyed with a note about what I hope they'll enjoy about it when they hear it, tickets to see/do something that will stimulate their own creativity.

And about Advent Bible Study: God is really pushing me to try something new, a parish-wide online Advent Reflections. I've spent the past couple of weeks looking at various options. Many of the things I've seen online have ranged from sublime to silly, beautiful to head-spinningly BUSY. And I've realized that none of them will draw us together as the people of God. Togetherness is essential to watching and waiting. Only together will we have the strength to KEEP AWAKE to the things of God in a season that has become so frenetic.

SOOOOOO . . . during the 27 days of Advent, I'm committing to post an Advent Reflection each day, to which you can respond with comments. Hopefully, we'll start a sort of online discussion this way . . .

I'll work more on this tomorrow . . . But for now, I hope you can sense how much God longs to impart His goodness to us in all the facets of our lives. In the small things - like Christmas gift-giving - and in the bigger things, like helping us to stay centered on the Reason for the Season.

Yours always in Him,
Janet+