Followby Pastor Steve McCoy
When I packed up my belongings in the church study and went to work out of my home office back in March, I thought it would be a few weeks or a few months before I would return. Now it’s been over nine months!
The year 2020 will go down as a year of infamy, to use President Roosevelt’s term.
Thanksgiving was a bust. Well, no, the giving thanks part was fine, but it was not the normal way we have traditionally enjoyed this holiday season throughout the years.
Now we are in December cruising toward Christmas. It simply will not be the same. You might be experiencing a similar grief.
What am I going to do about it?
First, I plan to refresh my spirit each Sunday as I listen to the carols of the season. (Perhaps not singing this year will make singing all the more valuable in the future. Perhaps I will never, ever take singing for granted again!)
Second, I want to renew my mind with the precious truths of the coming of Jesus. I will be preaching on how to start Christmas from Matthew 1:1–2:16.
Third, I want to gaze on the seasonal decorations that grace our worship center. They warm my spirit with their beauty, wonder, and delight.
Fourth, I want to reflect once again on the key words of Christmas as highlighted through the advent candles: hope, peace, joy, and love. Jesus’s first advent came after seemingly endless years of waiting. We now await his second return. (How many times have I muttered under my breath this year, “This is a great time to return, Jesus!” So far, He has not complied with my wishful prayer to escape current discomfort! Instead, He is waiting for the time to fully come [Galatians 4:4], just as He waited for the right time to send the baby Jesus.)
Perhaps my Christmas this year will be less frivolous and more untraditional, but I anticipate it being deeper and more reflective. Meanwhile, I long for Him all the more!
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Thanks Steve. I was just pondering exactly this over the past few days!