Dear Evergreen family,
Advent is easy this year. Most years, you and I are cruising right along. We come upon this season leading up to Christmas, and we’re told to anticipate the coming of Jesus. It feels a little forced, and we have to get ourselves in the right frame of mind. Not this year. This year, Advent arrives as a welcome friend who knows what we’re going through. Wait for Christ? Yes, that’s where are hearts are already. Come, Lord Jesus. Come into this world of masks and Zoom and restore our humanity. Come into this lonely manger that is our society and get those angels singing. Come and let that star shine over this dimly lit year. Advent is easy this year.
While Advent may be easy, Christmas may be especially tough. When it finally comes time to celebrate the birth of Jesus, we might not feel ready for that. That’s the part that might feel “forced” this year. No, that won’t be the case for us all, but I suspect it will be the case for quite a few of us. Our hearts may feel too raw to let loose with joy and triumph.
Coping with the Holiday Blues During COVID
On Monday, December 7th, at 7:00 p.m., my wife, Audra Mrini, a Licensed Professional Pastoral Counselor in Virginia, will talk about how to cope with the sadness and loneliness that comes for so many during the Christmas season that is even more difficult this year due to COVID. There will be time for discussion and questions to help you and your loved ones experience this Christmas season in a meaningful and joyful way. To participate, click this Zoom link. The meeting ID is 938 3644 3607, and the passcode is 327030.
AND, don’t forget to join us tonight for our Advent Study “Incarnation.” Click this Zoom link at 7:00 p.m. to join in! The meeting ID is 959 6136 1995, and the passcode is 502521.
May God bless us all.
Your Fellow Minister in Christ,
Mark