Pastor Annette's Blog
"OF ALL THE THINGS GOD HAS SHOWN ME, I CAN SPEAK BUT A LITTLE WORD NOT MORE THAN A HONEYBEE CAN CARRY AWAY ON ITS FOOT FROM AN OVERFLOWING JAR."
~ MECHTHILD OF MAGDEBURG, 13TH CENTURY MYSTIC |
"OF ALL THE THINGS GOD HAS SHOWN ME, I CAN SPEAK BUT A LITTLE WORD NOT MORE THAN A HONEYBEE CAN CARRY AWAY ON ITS FOOT FROM AN OVERFLOWING JAR."
~ MECHTHILD OF MAGDEBURG, 13TH CENTURY MYSTIC |
![]() Seeing my neighbors go all out lighting up their houses and yards with Christmas decorations inspired me to throw the two rotten pumpkins on my own porch into the chicken coop. Our tree is not up, nor are any stockings hung. The Christian in me wants Christmas to be a season of worship, like Lent and Easter, where eggs and chocolate are the lesser part. But sadly, the Christian in me is all too easily hijacked by the hedonist who also lives in me, the one who eagerly eats up the Christmas message of over-working, over-spending self-indulgence. Knowing full well it’s a message sold by retailers and profiteers, I’m still hard pressed to decline, even passively, what I know will never keep its promises. Things don’t bring lasting joy. Relationships bring lasting joy. Buying what we can’t afford and don’t need, from false duty or to impress others, isn’t sacrifice. It’s poor stewardship. I want to spend my Christmas time, energy, and money on the things that seem like joy to me. Decorating: I’ve given away eighty-plus percent of the Christmas decorations I once owned. Of what I have left, the stockings are my favorite. We’ve had the same ones for 21 years. One doesn’t match because we had another baby and Land’s End didn’t make that kind anymore. A friend made one that sort of matches. Shopping: I like giving people presents if I see certain things that would be perfect for a certain person. I haven’t actually gone Christmas shopping in a big way in years, which I find to be practically perfect in every way. Food: I love picking up grown kids from the airport and feeding them yummy food in between their naps. I love cooking things I only make this time of year. I love going to Denny’s after church on Christmas Eve. The service and the food are always terrible and take forever. Carl leaves a crazy huge tip and we all run out really fast to be gone before the waiter sees it. Worship: I’d have church every year on Christmas Day if I thought anyone else would come. But I get it - I have big kids now, so the day isn’t like it used to be for us. Instead I turn on Christmas music the very first day of Advent and listen all month. Pandora has a lovely station with carols, The Nutcracker, and Pentatonix all in the mix. I love our church cantata (December 17th Sunday morning service) and the Christmas Eve service. My wish for you this season is that you do what brings you joy and peace, that you find peace enough to leave the rest undone. ~ peace & prayers, pastor annette
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I write a Tuesday morning devotional to members and friends of UBC. It is also posted here.
Enjoy! Pastor Annette Copyright
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February 2025
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