DECEMBER 2024
From the Pastor’s Desk
Advent – Waiting on the Lord!
Confusion. Foreboding. Fear. These words from our Gospel of Luke kick off the first Sunday of Advent. It’s hard to find a place for these heavy emotions in either the secular or religious traditions that precede Jesus’ birth, but this year’s Advent texts remind us that healing can be a painful, complicated process, even-or especially- with the promise of comfort and joy to come. Luke, both evangelist and physician would have known that fractured bones sometimes need to be rebroken in order to heal properly.
As a congregation, we journey together to Bethlehem during this month, waiting for the coming of the Man/God – The Anointed One- Jesus Christ. Take this time to Heal, Hope and live in Peace according to his Word. Jesus is with us always. Enjoy the sights, sounds and tastings of a hope-filled journey in Christ this Advent Season.
Where do we get X-mas? X-mas is an abbreviation for Christmas. The X in Xmas is actually the Greek letter Chi (pronounced “K-I”). Chi stood in the Greek language as a symbol for Christ. The use of” Xmas” as a simple abbreviation for Christmas and dates back to the 12th century – it has been in continuous usage ever since. Feel free to use it in confidence that you have no intention of taking Christ out of Christmas!
May God bless you during this festive season,
Pastor Kelly
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