Dear friends in Christ,

This Sunday we celebrate Hope Sunday, the first Sunday of Advent. Advent is not the beginning of Christmas, it is the beginning of waiting. Of hoping. Of anticipating. Of quiet excitement. This Advent our theme is Surprising New Birth. Despite what we may see in the news, I see newness and hope and plans for bright future popping up all over the place. This Advent we will be reading through the scriptures about the birth of Jesus, but especially the surprise of newness. So many of the passages describe the surprise of a new birth, either impending or just delivered. This news is always a surprise, and yet the way that the angels or prophets deliver the news and to whom is incredibly meaningful.

In our modern context, whether we are single moms, newly engaged, old men well past child-bearing age, the lowest class of peasant, an immigrant living in fear, or a powerful political player (on either side of the aisle), the stories of Jesus’ birth have much to teach us about God’s surprising gift of hope, peace, joy, and love throughout history and during this season, especially.

We will look forward to seeing you there.

Many blessings,

Pastor Tracy