Dear Friends,

A new month dawns! The year draws to a close. For many of us, we are keeping busy with the many tasks of the holidays. Some of those tasks include churchy things. I pray that we won't find gathering to pray and celebrate the incarnation as yet another obligation. In fact, I pray that we might see the things that feel obligatory as opportunities to see Christ revealed in the world. 

Several folks will be offering hospitality this Saturday and Sunday as St. James is part of the Old North Knoxville holiday tour of homes. You will notice some signs and displays in the nave on Sunday that are part of the self-guided tour. Join us at 4:00 on Sunday for Advent Lessons and Carols. Our beautiful space and the resonant prayers therein can reveal Christ too. 

Making room to welcome others is a way of making room for Christ. My imagination has taken a tour of the space that will be when our renovation is completed. A lift will allow for more accessible usage of our rooms. New windows and a new heat and air system will provide for a more efficient use of resources. An updated kitchen and parish hall will be a space for Helping Hands meals, recovery groups, and parish celebrations. Our nave will be more flexible and allow for all sorts of processing, praising, dancing, and worship. All of that will be making space for us to meet Christ. 

The calendar may be full. There are to-do lists, gifts to buy, and cards to send. You have room to look for Christ in others, and to serve him there. In doing so, we make room for Christ in our hearts. Blessed Advent. 

Peace, 

John Mark