It’s always a bit tricky to produce a church newsletter for the month of December. On one hand, the writer must cover the season of Advent and call readers to the discipline of anticipating and preparing for the birth of Jesus anew. On the other hand, the writer cannot ignore the fact that much of society is already in full Christmas tilt, and has been there since, well, Halloween. Maybe the task of both the writer me, and the reader is to balance the hysteria of the month of December with the hope that is ours in both preparing for the birth of Jesus and then celebrating it. I think the world has a seemingly endless supply of hysteria but not nearly enough hope. Maybe Advent’s call for preparation can be a time for us to determine how we may present ourselves as gifts to the Christ child, and then see more clearly or listen more carefully, as he would, to the places of pain and brokenness around us while committing to delivering his hope to those who need it the most. If you like the hysteria of the season, then go with it! Just don’t forget to share the hope
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