What do you want for Christmas this year? It is likely not something that can be bought in a store. Join our congregation's writers for daily reflections, unveiling their heartfelt desires and dreams this holiday season. As their words help us lead us to the place of our own longings for this holiday season, they also remind us that in the place of our greatest Christmas wish, we will find God there with us.
Thank you to Jodi Cunniffe. She has been a member of Saint Luke for three and a half years. She facilitates the Thursday night prayer gathering and participates in the Empty Nester group and the Appalachia Service Project. Jodi loves the welcoming environment and the friends she has made at Saint Luke. She was a member of the 2023 call committee and she enjoys beautifying the kindness rock garden at Saint Luke by painting new rocks and restoring old ones.
COURAGE & HARMONY
“I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” -Joshua 1:9
My hope this Christmas season is for everyone to have courage and harmony amidst the challenges we may face along the way. For many people life and the world today often seem messy. Navigating life’s demands, work, relationships, and local and world issues can be daunting and exhausting. I often think back to the time of Jesus’ birth and wonder if Mary and Joseph thought the world was messy too. Were Mary and Joseph physically and emotionally drained from bringing Jesus into the world and being “on the run” from King Herod? What drains us from our relationship with God and our neighbors?
How did Mary and Joseph summon up the courage and faith to answer God’s call? How does having courage lead to harmony in our lives? Perhaps, having the courage to share our own story or an issue that is important to us with someone might be just the message that person needs to hear at that moment. Maybe that particular conversation could lead to new understanding and harmony with someone we might not know well or share their point of view. Having the courage to “lean into” difficult conversations during this Advent season may prepare the way to bring us in closer harmony to Jesus, God and our neighbors this Christmas.
Dear God, help us to have courage like Mary and Joseph. Help us to take the first step in having courageous conversations with our neighbors; especially with people who may not think in the same way that we do. Help us seek harmony during this holiday season and create peace within one another. Let us form new friendships and relationships. Peaceful blessings. Amen