December 2011

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace, good will among people! ”
                 Luke 2:14

Dear Ones --

One of the most astonishing gifts Jesus offers us is the gift of PEACE! It’s good to remember that this gift is for everyone. It wasn’t delivered in a silver-lined envelope handed to a fancy mansion. No, the message was sung to the scruffy laborers on the night shift – to underscore the fact that it crosses all barriers.

In unexpected ways, each Christmas holds its own new challenges to experiencing PEACE.

It’s exciting and a little daunting as all of us are used to celebrating in familiar patterns. PEACE may be more difficult to experience in a new place or with different family. On the other hand, it might be easier to receive this gift in an unfamiliar setting – in our personal lives, in our families, or in our church.

One of the keys to receiving the gift of PEACE, we need to move ourselves toward the place we can most easily experience it. In this busy season, how and where do you most easily experience the gift of holy rest? For you, is there a place, a time of day, or a group of people with whom you can be thoughtful about the things of The Spirit?

I invite you to join me in a pattern of Advent Thanks! As we look at our lives as a gift from God, thanksgiving puts us in the place of finding PEACE. Here are 3 simple ways to move in this season. Try it -- I’d love to hear how this season of PEACE is made richer with this little experience.

Advent Thanks:
What gift am I most grateful to Jesus for today?
To whom can I say Thank You?
What specific thing can I do to thank?

We are a people blessed with richness. We celebrate the sale of a building; we are a newly refreshed faith congregation. The astonishing gifts from Jesus are so that we can be a people sharing the Peace of God with the world!