A Service of Light in the Darkness

The service is on the eve of the longest day of the year and together we will make space for God to minister to any grief or sadness we may be experiencing this Christmas Season.

Christmas is a time for joy, excitement, parties, and presents.  And it can be a hard time of the year as we miss loved ones or grieve for the state of the world.  We can experience both of these at the same time.  You may feel happy. Sad. Discouraged. Excited. Grief-stricken. Thankful. Angry. Exhausted. Content. Guilty. Hope-filled. Aching. Frustrated. Determined. Apathetic. Peaceful. Tired. Lonely. Inspired. Loved.  Or a little bit of all the above!  I want to encourage everyone to allow themselves to be right where you are.  This wonderful poem by Steve Garnaas-Holmes from his Unfolding Light touches on this idea: 

When you are in a dark place
and you want to get out of it,
remember that life is not somewhere else,
but where you are.
The story may or may not be
that you quickly escape.
But the story surely is that God is with you
where you are.
Before you leap toward the escape hatch,
be where you are.
Notice. Look around, even in a dark room,
and see God there
before you leave.

This is Advent. As people of faith, we remember that we exist in the “now and not yet.” We are “Close to Home” but not quite yet. There will be hardship, distress, and struggle.  Yet, there will also always be gifts of love, joy, and peace that God provides all around us. God WILL be there in the midst of it. May you feel and know that God is always beside you.