Dear Congregation,
I don’t know how you’re feeling, but for me, time seems to be racing and I find it hard to believe we’re at Third Sunday Advent!
We’re hearing in our Advent Gospels of John the Baptist urging repentance and preparation, a little gloomy as the city is literally lighting up with joy, but there it is – repentance to prepare for the coming of the Lord. And, yes, we should do that – acknowledge and repent for “what we have done and for what we have left undone”, making ourselves new and beautiful as we prepare to welcome Jesus into our lives once again.
We also anticipate Christ’s coming in other ways. By preparing our homes, as we clean and decorate, as we bake and cook, as we see about what gifts to give, we make all things new and beautiful and we go deep into our hearts and often into our wallets to discern what we’ll give.
Many of us have had changes in our lives this year, many have had losses and we’ve all just lost our beloved Music Director, David Ralph. Any change is accompanied by a loss. Loss of a loved one is the greatest and most painful change in our lives. And there are so many other changes and losses we face. But with every change, with every loss, we must continue to have faith and to live into all the possibilities God has provided us.
A bright light in Advent (no disrespect to the Baptist) is the Magnificat, which will be sung by the choir this Sunday. Some of you know of my love for the Magnificat and the riches that passage offers. An angel brought astounding news to Mary of a big change in her life and she knew she would be losing the life she thought she would have. But as the Magnificat burst forth from her, she accepted and embraced this news, and thankfully acknowledged all God had already provided and rejoiced in all that was to come. I could get on board with that.
My spirit rejoices!
Deacon Denise