“Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love.” — Ephesians 3:17—
This past month, we gathered, opened the word in worship, and pondered on the gift of Love … And the movement of God’s love down upon us, in us, and flowing out of us. What we did not focus on as much is what is at the heart of love – hope. But think about what would happen to hope without God’s love. Cultivating Hope is the Synod focus this month, and I want us to connect the movement of God’s love with the hope that is made possible through Emanuel – God with Us. As we enter this very special season of Advent and Christmas this year, let us be mindful that this is a time of the year when many people experience more darkness (literally with the days losing daylight, and figuratively with sadness and disappointment). And let us ask the question of ourselves: “How can I be light in the darkness?” How can I be a spark of hope in this world filled with darkness and difficulty for so many?
We are grounded in this love of Christ, especially in this season of Advent and Christmas. It’s hard not to see it and feel it with all the decorations of holly bringing a sign of life into a world that is entering into hibernation, with all the decorations of lights and stars and angels to remind us of the love that carries and supports us and guides us through the busyness of this time of year.
I hope that you can find time this year to stop in the midst…and ponder on the light, and the love, and the hope that comes in the birth of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.
– Pastor Patti