A Big Week

As we enter into the week before Christmas, I pass along blessings to each of you who visit this blog. It is a blessing to me to be a part of this unique community.

I was blessed this week through a children's program. I found new hope in the church as I watched 30+ kids from our small congregation fumble through their program on Sunday night. I give thanks for the joy they bring me as I learn and pray with them each week.

I imagine this will be a memorable week as I celebrate my first Christmas as a pastor of specific congregation. It brings with it huge traditions for us as we spend the days 'working'. I can only hope that the services and the time planning them will bring deep hope as we celebrate the 'great light' that we have seen, and as we celebrate the folly of a seemingly powerless child born in terrible, unkingly conditions...

Tomorrow night we are having a 'Blue Christmas' service to offer a space for some to acknowledge that the Christmas season is terribly hard for many, and only brings pain and sorrow. It also happens to fall on the Longest Night of the year, the Winter Solstice. We are offering prayers of healing, the opportunity to light a candle, write prayer requests, etc...and hear a story read that develops certain characters that may remind them of themselves. It is a community worship and I look forward to sharing the leadership with the UCC pastor in the area. She is becoming a mentor and a great source of resources for me.

Merry Christmas. Stand in the complete darkness this week and imagine the imagery you can receive of all that light does and means. Oh yeah, and I hope you get your wrapping done too! :) Paz