I have a December confession. At some point in the coming few weeks I will hit a panic moment: “How will I ever get everything done?” The degree of panic has diminished over the years, but there is still that recognition of the intensity of this month. There is a lot going on – on the calendar and in the mind and soul.
On Nov 25th , the Moderator of The United Church of Canada – The Rt. Rev Richard Bott – sent out a Facebook note to a couple of ministers groups to which I belong. He offered a word of encouragement in this busy season, and then said,
“Take time to simply be with God.
Take time to simply be with your family
(who ever makes up that body).
Take time to simply be with yourself.”
And so I share that wisdom with each of you as well. This is a time when both joy and grief can be intensified, and various expectations come with the season. So, I invite you to take time to recognize wonder and grace. May the Advent gifts of hope, peace, joy and love – be experiences of our souls as well as candles we light
One of the things that amazes me about this season is that often there is a line in a Christmas carol or in the Christmas story that I hear in a new way. So, let us take time to listen and to experience the various gifts of this time – and as we do, maybe our moments of panic will be brief.
