The period from September through November has not been easy. The speed at which things have appeared and disappeared on my desk and in my schedule has been disorienting. Maybe my age is catching up, mortality is settling in. As I write today, I remember Abe, an outspoken church leader with a big, generous heart. He said once after Sunday morning worship, "Reverend, if you ever lose your mind, we're all in trouble." I took that as a compliment in 1993. Truth be told, I probably did lose my mind back in those days of parish ministry and still am in the process of losing (and finding) it again in this crazy thing called conference ministry. I also recall a service of installation in one of our churches early in my ministry in New Hampshire. It was during the reception following the service that a short, elderly woman peered up at me over her the rim of her teacup to ask, "Now, who are you and why are you here?" Such is life as a Conference Minister in the Untied Church of Christ: Who am I? Why am I here?
All this is prologue to Advent. Ah, Advent, the beginning of something wonderfully new. The old is passing away; God's newness is near. There is more to come than what I have previously experienced. The lost things are secure and will eventually be found. All will be revealed for what it really is. God is coming to judge and to save, to set things right, and to bless the world with hope.
Yesterday, as I worshipped with the Congregational Church of Hooksett, I saw a single purple candle that was lit in the Advent wreath. It was designated, "The Candle of Hope." Somehow the flickering flame brought home for me the gift of hope. Amid gray and cloudy days in my soul--and the soul of our nation--there is hope. God is coming! God is coming! God is coming!
Help me, O Coming One, to bask in this Advent time, to allow it to challenge and to change me in profound ways. Prepare me to receive your eternal life. Move me to be a child of your grace. Grant your church space to reflect, to lay down all our preconceived notions and opinions as we listen long for your Word. Keep us alert and awake, so that we may be surprised and rejoice at your appearing . O God, come! Amen.
All this is prologue to Advent. Ah, Advent, the beginning of something wonderfully new. The old is passing away; God's newness is near. There is more to come than what I have previously experienced. The lost things are secure and will eventually be found. All will be revealed for what it really is. God is coming to judge and to save, to set things right, and to bless the world with hope.
Yesterday, as I worshipped with the Congregational Church of Hooksett, I saw a single purple candle that was lit in the Advent wreath. It was designated, "The Candle of Hope." Somehow the flickering flame brought home for me the gift of hope. Amid gray and cloudy days in my soul--and the soul of our nation--there is hope. God is coming! God is coming! God is coming!
Help me, O Coming One, to bask in this Advent time, to allow it to challenge and to change me in profound ways. Prepare me to receive your eternal life. Move me to be a child of your grace. Grant your church space to reflect, to lay down all our preconceived notions and opinions as we listen long for your Word. Keep us alert and awake, so that we may be surprised and rejoice at your appearing . O God, come! Amen.
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