“Let’s start with the manger.”

First, I want to extend warm wishes to you and your families for a blessed Thanksgiving Holiday. May God nurture you with enough (hopefully not too much) food, and a full measure of God’s presence. This week in our homes and on our calendars, we commemorate Thanksgiving. Hopefully we’ll be spending some extra time reminding ourselves, and one another, how much we have to be thankful for. At the same time, our church calendar urges us forward. This coming Sunday we’ll be in December, and our worship will situate us in the season of Advent.

I like Advent: a season of waiting and watching. Advent is often observed through understated melodies, minor keys, blues and purples, and an invitation to preparation. All the while, our schedules, song selections, and media reminders relentlessly call us to Christmas tidings. This year, my thoughts, our programming, and conversations will be guided by some ministry tools purchased from “Illustrated Ministry,” which brings forward the theme “From the Manger.” Instead of waiting and watching for the in-breaking of Christ into our lives and world, how does it impact our preparation and observance of the season if we start with the manger?

This past Sunday, following worship, we enjoyed “Muffins & the Manger: an Advent Celebration.” Our Advent Devotionals (available for FREE in the church Narthex) will follow similar themes. “Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.’” (John 6:35). Jesus, “took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body, which is given for you.’” (Luke 22:19). This is the same Jesus who was born in a manger— a feeding trough for animals. Jesus was always intended to satisfy our hungers.

What hungers interfere with your ability to live the way that God wants? What hungers will you ask God to satiate this Advent season as you prepare for the coming of Christ? Please share with me your thoughts.              

Very truly,

Pastor Adam