Dear Friends,
I hope you enjoyed family, friends, and good food over the
Thanksgiving holiday. Now it is time to turn our focus toward Christmas (as is
clear from all the sale emails I am getting). Let’s make this season a little
different this year. I’m suggesting that we all read a book together and spend
time in thought and conversation about the meaning of this season. The book I
have chosen is Christmas Is Not Your
Birthday: Experience the Joy of Living and Giving Like Jesus by Michael
Slaughter. You can pick up copies from me or in the church office (cost is $10
– if you can). Chapter titles include: Expect a miracle, Giving up on Perfect,
Scandalous Love,…
I’m asking that you not only read the book but also join in
an ongoing conversation. Each week we will read a section. I will post some
reflections on the reading on the church website www.rivertonparkumc.com. You are
invited to add your own comments to facilitate a conversation.
Although I value face to face sharing and learning, it seems
that in our busy lives it is not practical to add a class or study session for
faith development. By doing it online we save the time and expense of gathering
at the church and still have the opportunity to share. I ask you to take this
task seriously. Check into the website a couple times a week. Add your
thoughts, stories, experiences,… It will give a new dimension of meaning to
this season and help us all to focus on what we are really celebrating.
It is so easy to just do what we always do for Christmas.
Put the tree up in the same place with the same decorations. Hang the lights
the same way as always. Pick out presents to give, covered with pretty wrapping
paper and bows. It can be beautiful but doesn’t always inspire faith or deepen
understanding. At times it is just routine – isn’t it?
Don’t allow yourself to get swept away in the routine of the
season without pausing to deepen the meaning. Grab a book, read a section each
week, and join the conversation.
The story may not be new but the meaning can be. Let Christ
be born again in your life and in our world.
In peace,
Rev. Jan
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