I’m very excited about the service on Sunday and the party afterward!
Every year I find myself asking, Why does the Christmas story never grow old? No matter how many times we hear this story, we keep coming back for one more telling. I think the answer lies in the nature of our individual lives and of life itself.
If you think back to a year ago, perhaps you can remember some of the problems you were struggling with at that time. Hopefully you have now solved some of those problems, but it’s just as likely that some of them are still with you.
It’s even more likely that you are now dealing with a new set of problems, and that some of these may seem even bigger and more oppressive than those of a year ago. The same is true when we look at the world stage.
As long as we are mortal and live on a planet inhabited by other mortals, we will never arrive at some perfect, problem-free future. This is why the Christmas story never grows old. It addresses this fundamental conundrum in a way that has the potential to fill us with hope, joy, love, and peace.
Christ truly is the answer to whatever problems we are dealing with individually or collectively. The glory of the Christmas story is its proclamation that CHRIST CAN BE BORN IN US AND IN OUR WORLD ANEW.
If you would like to live the best life available to you, here is your opportunity to envision it, then to embrace and hold it tightly in your arms.
I am SO looking forward to another opportunity to do this. The entire experience is full of surprises, so anything can happen.
I hope you will seize the opportunity to hear the old message in a new way this Sunday and on Christmas Eve.
Because of the snow cancellation, we will be lighting TWO Advent candles this Sunday, and as often happens, what seemed like an inconvenience or disadvantage may turn out to be a blessing in disguise. . . .
May all the wonders of Christmas be yours!
Evan Howard
Minister, Community Church of Providence