Dear Beloveds of God,

Grace to you and peace from the One who was, who is, and is to come!

One of my favorite parts of the day is waking up early while it is quiet and dark out. There is a silent stillness that echoes throughout Creation that gives way to a sense of calm and peacefulness. I felt the embrace of such as I walked out of my parents’ house at 4:30am Friday morning preparing to return to NY. I paused to take it in, and as I did, I was greeted by the beautiful stars shining brightly in the clear sky and recalled Genesis 1.

“God said, ‘let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and years and to give light on earth...And it was so. God saw that it was good. And there was evening and morning - the 4th day.’”

Before I walked out the door, I was filled with anxiety and worry. I was leaving my parents with the uncertainty of what was to come and was in a state of hurry – hoping to miss all the traffic. But as I stepped outside, I was stopped by the majestic light that was shining in the darkness. Pausing to reflect and delight in that moment reminded me of the hope we find only in the Lord, the one who lights the way for us.

Over the next few hours while driving, I was praying and reflecting on things. As daylight slowly creeped in, I was crossing over a bridge, and looking out over the water, I was reminded of the Lord’s hope once again as I witnessed the most gorgeous sunrise on the horizon. A moment that held God’s promise of a new day, and the light shining the way.

We are entering the season of Advent - a time of waiting, anticipation, and preparing to celebrate the birth of the Christ child. Over the next four Sundays, we will hear a lot about light. Each Sunday our worship will begin with lighting candles, a reminder of what is to come, the Light of the World. And as the progression of light grows each week, we are reminded that the Light of the World shines the way for us.

On Christmas Eve, we will gather at 4pm for a candlelight worship service, celebrating the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the Light of the World. As the glow of the candlelight shines in the darkness, I would encourage each of us to pause and get present in the moment – take in the radiating light, the presence of the Lord, surrounding and holding us. Witness the light abiding within the cloud of saints present including yourself. As the light is extinguished, let us then humbly and courageously go forth to follow the light that shines in the darkness, being beacons of hope and light in the world!

Come join us in worship this Advent season and on Christmas Eve! Don’t forget to invite your family, friends, neighbors, and others to join us in celebrating the Good News of great joy!

Merry Christmas!

Pastor Jenn