Dear Families and Friends of Peace,
Growing up as the son of a nurse, and having an occupation where I am around people and students a lot, I’ve always had a pretty good immune system and don’t often get sick. But once or twice a year, I’ll catch something that completely knocks me off my feet, and it takes much longer than I’d like to get back up. That happened last Thursday, causing me to miss Sunday worship and last night’s Advent Midweek Service.
So, admittedly, I haven’t been a symbol of Advent and Christmas joy lately. But as we’ve tried to build Christmas traditions with our boys, we’ve leaned heavily on Christmas music—and what’s helped give me hope in this hard time is that the music of this season always seems to meet us wherever we are in our lives and proclaim Christ’s presence, promise, and peace.
Presence—that God does not leave us alone in our deepest challenges nor our greatest joys.
Promise—that God loves us unconditionally and eternally.
Peace—that God will grant us the peace that passes all understanding, and empower us to help share it with others.
So, wherever this note finds you in our Advent journey to Christmas, I invite you to turn on some Christmas tunes—and may God’s presence, promise, and peace bless you and your families this day and throughout the season.
Advent Blessings,
Joe