Dear Sisters and Brothers,
As I'm sure you are aware, Advents begins next Sunday, November 29th. It is ironic that this season of reflection, prayer and preparation to celebrate the birth of Christ begins the Sunday after Black Friday. Christ came to bring Good News, not to the Market and its merchants, but to the poor, the oppressed, the broken and needy of the world. He came not to bring prosperity to the market economy, but to usher in a new kind of economy -- an economy based on the principles of abundance, mercy, compassion, generosity and love.
Just as there was no room for Jesus in the inn at Bethlehem, there is no room for Him today in the world's economy. How can we, in the midst of a Market-driven celebration of Christmas, honor the occasion of Christ's birth in a way that is a reflection of His principles and ideals? It's not easy, and it gets harder every year.To help us, Jonathan Wilson Hartgrove, founder of The New Monasticism, has created an Advent Devotional that uses Scripture, stories, web sites and provocative questions to help us think through our priorities and principles as we preapre for Christmas. This devotional is free, and is appropriate for individual use, or, even better, for use with a partner or in a group. You can download it from this site:http://www..tikkun.org/fmd/files/christmas_2009.pdf, or, if you prefer, I will have hard copies available this Sunday on the table in the Gathering Space.
May God bless you as you prepare your hearts to receive Christ more deeply this Christmas.
Grace and peace,
Cindy Thomas
Worship Elder
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