The long awaited story is about to come alive once more.  The story of Emmanuel, God with us.  We have spent the Advent season exploring the stories of how God shows up “Out of the Blue” and shows us the marvelous wonders of love.  As we approach the celebration of the age old story of God’s love made flesh, God’s love came down, and God’s love in the unexpected form of a newborn child, we cherish once again the glory that can only belong to God. 

This story is an unending story, as God’s love still comes to us, remains with us, and gives us hope.  And continues to surprise us as Christ shows up in our daily lives in the most surprising ways, showering us with not only love, but also mercy, forgiveness, hope, and peace.  Christ calls us to participate in this amazing story, to tell it where ever we go and to whomever we meet. Christ pleads with us to teach it to our children and grandchildren.  And beckons us to live it out not just with words, but in our actions.  Actions that embody the commandments of Christ to love God and love one another.   This story telling with both our words and actions is to be in perpetual motion, not just at Christmas time, but all throughout the year. 

One way to tell the story during Christmas is the greeting “Merry Christmas.” But not in a way that is a simple greeting, but in a way that shares the story that grounds us in our faith, that identifies us as Christ’s people, and shows the world what it means to be Christian.  I hope for each of us the time we spend this season tells the Christmas story in way that illuminates with “Glory to God on high” and reflects the love, joy, peace, and hope of Christ Jesus.

May the light of Christ Jesus fill you with hope, peace, joy, and love this Christmas and always. And may you use that light to share the Christmas story with all you meet.  

Peace in Christ Jesus,

Pastor Karla

 

 

 

                                    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blessings,

 Pastor Karla