Here’s another way to look at Christmas shopping from poet Ann Weems, from her book “Kneeling in Bethlehem.”
I had a dream that the Holy Family came down the escalators at Field’s. Angels in red raiment flew around sprinkling us with stardust, singing alleluias and playing their bugles, and all the shoppers knelt in adoration and praise. The Wise Men, working in gift wrap, began receiving our hearts and wrapped them in rainbow papers and we presented them to the Christ Child. Then they were gone and we returned to our shopping. But I heard no more complaining about the long lines, and I saw no more rushing about. We all smiled and greeted one another with PEACE and GOODWILL, We all remembered we had given away our hearts. It was the best Christmas shopping I’d ever done!
There is so much to be thankful for as we begin to gather around the message of hope born to us in the Christ Child. Our community continues to grow and deepen relationships around our gracious invitation to be God’s people in this place. We hear and respond to the needs of our community out of the love that has been lavished upon us from our Father in heaven. And we gather each week to let the Holy Spirit inspire us into the mission for which we are created both individually and as a community.
Blessings to you as we wait the coming again of our Savior, and celebrate once more God’s promises blossoming in our world and in our hearts.
In God’s unfailing love.
Pastor Barbara
Photo credit: Angel of Harlem, a CC-licensed image by Max Boschini on Flickr
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