November 2004 Pastor's Letter

From the Pastor, As I contemplate the coming of the Christmas season, I am torn almost in two at the way we celebrate, the way a great celebration is turned into a time about money, material and me. We look to this season beginning the last Sunday in November this year, the season of Advent as a time of anticipation. The excitement for many at this time of year is the anticipation of what they will get as a gift from everyone. We find ourselves disappointed, broke, feelings of despair, depression and many other emotions that are negative. It should be a time of celebration and renewal not a time of frustration and depression. When in that light I think about the church it seems we are maybe along with everyone else in our work and celebration. What is it that we do during this time? What are we sending as a message to the world for their benefit? We give food, clothing, and toys, but have we sent the love of Christ in a way it might be recognized? Do we put Christ in the box? Think about how you give what you give, and maybe seal it with a prayer for the person receiving your gift. Enough said about my little pet peeve for the season, really I am not a scrooge, it just seems that way sometimes. Let’s look ahead at what might be in the season for us. I purchased a book for personal reflection through the season. The name of the book is "The 25 Days of Christmas" by Greg Johnson and the ISBN # is 0-8499-1835-9 and is available through Christian Book Distributors, which can be accessed through the Atkinson Presbyterian web site, www.atkinsonfpc.org then go to links and click on Christian Books. I have taken a lot of space already but think it might be worth the effort to revisit why we celebrate Christmas. This book along with a variety of other books, walk us through daily readings, devotions, and thought provoking stories to inspire us to seek Christ in the season. The season is Advent, which means coming. We look forward with anticipation to the coming of Christ. To help us understand and connect to this we use the Advent Wreath. It is made up of several things that symbolize the season. As we begin there are four candles representing the 4,000 years prior to Christ’s coming and the four weeks of advent. You might think of the unlit candles as representing the darkness before his coming. As we light each candle they begin to represent Christ as the light in the world and as the anticipation increases so does the light of his coming. Then if you look closely there is a wreath or the candles are grouped in a circle. The circle represents that God has no beginning, nor end. God is eternal. And finally the circle is made of greenery, which represents eternal life. Now that may not be the story which represents all advent candle settings but it covers the hope and excitement we are intended to feel as we look forward to the second coming of Christ. It isn’t so much about the babe in the manger anymore, he grew up, suffered for our sins, died, rose again, and now sits with the Father in heaven awaiting the time of his triumphant return. Tis the season for giving and caring. The celebration is here, let us embrace it and share with the world. Merry Christmas, Pastor WaynO

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