A Note From Your Lay Leader

As we gather to celebrate the birth of Christ, we are reminded of a profound truth: Jesus, the light of the world, was born into darkness. This light, sent to dispel the shadows, has faced constant opposition. Yet, despite every attempt to extinguish it, the light continues to shine brightly, offering hope and transformation to all who embrace it. Feeling the Weight of Darkness In today’s world, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the darkness surrounding us. Many of us struggle to experience the joy and wonder of the season, saying, “I’m just not feeling it this year,” or “It’s not the same as it used to be.” This sense of disconnection is understandable in a world fraught with anxieties and fears. Violence feels ever-present, and hunger, poverty, and loneliness persist in our communities. People face impossible choices between food, medicine, and heat, while others wonder if anyone truly sees or cares about them. The weight of this darkness can make it difficult to see the light. But perhaps we’re expecting too much. Why should it be easier to perceive the light now than it was 2,000 years ago? The Humility of Christ’s Birth Consider the circumstances of Christ’s birth. He wasn’t born in a palace or with grand fanfare. Instead, He entered the world in the humblest of settings—a manger, because there was no room at the inn. His mother, a young woman facing potential scandal, and His earthly father, a simple carpenter, welcomed Him into a world that had little room for a Savior. Yet, God’s plan persevered. Christ entered the world quietly, almost unnoticed. The powerful felt threatened by His arrival, learning of it only through the wise men from afar. Meanwhile, the shepherds—society’s marginalized—became the first to hear the good news, as an angel proclaimed His birth and a heavenly host filled the night sky with praise. The shepherds’ response is a model for us all. Without hesitation, they left everything behind to seek the Christ child. When they found Him, they were transformed, returning to their fields rejoicing and sharing the good news. Our Response to the Light This story challenges us to consider our own response to the light of Christ. Are we keeping watch, ready to recognize God’s movement in our lives? When we hear the good news, are we willing to drop everything to seek it? And when we encounter that light, do we allow it to transform us and compel us to share it with others? The darkness in our world is undeniable, but so is the persistence of light. Even in the bleakest circumstances, God’s love continues to break through. There are people working tirelessly for peace and justice, feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, and offering hope to the hopeless. These modern-day shepherds have seen the light and now share it with others. Carrying the Light Forward As we reflect on the nativity story, we are called to be more than passive observers. Like the shepherds, we are invited to step out of our comfort zones to encounter God’s presence in unexpected places. This doesn’t mean life’s challenges will disappear, but it does mean we have a choice in how we respond to the darkness. We can choose to be bearers of light, letting the transformative power of Christ’s love shine through us. Imagine the impact if each of us committed to this calling. What if we approached every interaction, challenge, and moment of our day with the awareness that we carry within us the light of the world? How might our families, communities, and world be transformed? The Ongoing Miracle of Christmas The birth of Christ reminds us that God’s light often enters the world in subtle, easily overlooked ways. It pushes through the cracks of our brokenness, reborn in our hearts, minds, and spirits. Our task is to nurture that light within ourselves and help others recognize it in their lives. As we celebrate this season, let’s challenge ourselves to carry the light of Christ into every corner of our lives. Let’s praise God and share the good news, just as the shepherds did. Let’s make room in our hearts and in our world for the Savior to be born anew. The question is simple yet profound: Will we actively seek Christ’s light, allow it to transform us, and boldly shine it into the darkness around us? The answer has the power to change not just our lives, but the world itself. In a world often consumed by shadows, we are called to be beacons of hope, reflections of the divine light that entered the world in a humble manger. May we embrace this calling, not just during the holiday season, but throughout the year. For in doing so, we participate in the ongoing miracle of Christmas—the light that continually overcomes the darkness.

As we approach the final Sunday of Advent, we find ourselves on the threshold of Christmas, reflecting on the profound gift of love that God has bestowed upon humanity. This love, manifested in the birth of Jesus Christ, challenges us to reconsider our understanding of God and invites us to exchange our worldly fears for divine love. The story of Christmas is a testament to God's unfathomable love. Imagine the Creator of the universe choosing to enter our world as a vulnerable infant, born in humble circumstances to parents who were themselves unprepared for the magnitude of their role. This act of love was so radical, so unexpected, that it causes us to marvel at the continuity between the God of the Old Testament and the God revealed in Jesus Christ. As the apostle John boldly proclaims, "God is love" (1 John 4:8). Yet, as we contemplate this divine love, we must confront a powerful force that often prevents us from fully embracing it: fear. Fear is a formidable adversary, binding us tightly and limiting our vision. It obscures our true identity as beloved children of God and blinds us to the inherent worth of others. Fear stifles our potential, makes us hesitant to welcome strangers, and can even drive us towards violence and hatred. But here's the good news: God's love has the power to cast out fear. As we read in 1 John 4:18, "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." This verse challenges us to let go of our fears and exchange them for the boundless love that God offers. However, this exchange is not a one-time event. Fear has a way of creeping back into our lives, often manifesting as anxiety about the unknown future or apprehension about how others will receive us. Every day, in every interaction, we face the possibility of rejection or misunderstanding. This fear can paralyze us, preventing us from sharing God's love and the hope found in Christ's story with those who desperately need to hear it. Practical Application: Living Out God's Love So how can we practically live out this love and overcome our fears? Here are a few suggestions: Set a goal to show love intentionally. Challenge yourself to find 20 ways to love your neighbor this week. Start small if needed, but push yourself to grow in this practice. Reach out to those who may be lonely or questioning. The Christmas season provides a perfect opportunity to invite someone to experience the story of God's love in a welcoming environment. Be willing to sacrifice for others. True love, as demonstrated by Christ, involves self-sacrifice. Ask yourself, "What am I willing to give up for the sake of showing God's love to another person?" Let your actions speak louder than words. Live in such a way that others see God's love reflected in your life and are drawn to it. Prepare yourself to push through fear. When you feel fear creeping in, have a plan ready. It might be a silent prayer, revisiting encouraging Scripture passages, or reminding yourself of God's love and calling on your life. Remember the story of Mary, the mother of Jesus. When told of her extraordinary role in God's plan, she was initially afraid. But the angel's words, "Do not be afraid, for you have found favor with God" (Luke 1:30), gave her the courage to say yes to God's call. Like Mary, we too are beloved by God and chosen to play a part in His plan to bring love into the world. The Transformative Power of Love As we embrace God's love and allow it to cast out our fears, we open ourselves to transformation. We become more capable of seeing others as God sees them – as beloved children made in His image. We become more willing to step into the unknown future that God has prepared for us. We become more effective ambassadors of Christ's love in a world that desperately needs it. This transformative love isn't just for our benefit. It's for the sake of the world, for those who are lost and hurting, for those who have yet to experience the hope and joy found in Christ. When we allow God's love to flow through us, we become part of His redemptive work in the world. As we approach Christmas, let's challenge ourselves to live fully in God's love. Let's push past our fears and insecurities, knowing that we are empowered by the same love that brought Christ into the world. Let's be willing to invite, to welcome, to reach out, and to sacrifice for the sake of others. In doing so, we not only honor the true spirit of Christmas but also participate in the ongoing story of God's love for the world. We become living testimonies to the truth that love – God's perfect love – truly does cast out all fear. May this Advent season be a time of renewed commitment to living in and sharing God's transformative love. As we celebrate the birth of Christ, let us also celebrate the rebirth of love in our own hearts, a love that casts out fear and changes the world, one person at a time.