Rejoicing in a Weary World

Welcome! I'm so glad you are here, joining us on our faith walk, and exploring God's amazing Creation with us as we spread the good news of Jesus Christ!

During this season of Advent, we have been exploring the idea of rejoicing in our weary world. It may seem at times that there is not much to rejoice for, but if we are searching for biblical joy, then we know that we can choose joy in the face of trouble or insurmountable odds.

We have been focusing on Luke 1 so far this season, on Elizabeth, Zechariah, and John, and on Mary. During the first week of Advent we addressed the weariness of the world and our own lived experiences, asking "How Long?"

Elizabeth and Zechariah had no children, though they had been married many years. God chose them to become the parents of John, who would be the one to prepare the way for Jesus, the longed-for messiah, and who would baptize Jesus in the Jordan.

Given their ages, Zechariah laughed when the angel announced this impending birth to him. The angel then took Zechariah's voice until the birth of John. His voice was restored during John's Briss, when he affirmed the child's name to be John as the angel decreed.

We explored the joy we find in connection in the relationship between Mary and Elizabeth. Luke 1:41 shares the greatest joy: When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. (NRSV)

But this joy in connection is not just for Elizabeth and Mary, it's for us, too.

We often get so busy in our lives, we end up neglecting important relationships because we are buried in minutiae. Around the Christmas season we see reminders of spending time together everywhere, but it seems even harder to find time, or make time, during this time of the year.

So this is when we have to make a choice. Elizabeth and Mary both chose to believe the angel of the Lord who delivered the news of their greatest blessings. We can choose, too. We can choose connection. We can choose to feel joy.

God gives us free will and encourages us in our choices, and guides us when we ask for wisdom toward the right choices. Elizabeth and Mary chose to embrace their gifts. Zechariah laughed. His choice caused him to lose his voice, but guided him to the right choice in affirming the name that was given by God to his son: John.

This season, let's make the right choice. Take a few minutes to renew connections. Find opportunities to share small moments of joy. I learned today that the employees in our local post office are hosting a hot chocolate bar in the coming days. Just a way for them to say thank you to their customers and share some holiday cheer. How sweet!

Share in the joy and cheer of the holidays this weekend, on December 17, 6:30 pm, for our annual Candlelight Service and reception. A service of lessons and carols, concluding with the light of Christ spreading throughout the sanctuary as we light our candles and sing "Silent Night."

Eastminster is offering another opportunity this week for everyone to come and take a break from the hustle and bustle of the Season with our Christmas Reset, Thursday, December 21, from 4-6 pm. Enjoy the quiet sanctuary, soft candlelight and music, and spend time in silent contemplation or quiet conversation, sharing fellowship and Christian love, remembering loved ones and celebrating Christ.