Weekly Letter, 12/12/2024
The Rev. John Mark Wiggers • December 12, 2024

Friends and Neighbors, 


The weather and the world seem to be changing day to day. I know how I have joined in the common lament that I don't like change. The truth is that change is the norm, the constant through creation. Advent calls us to look for some change. Christ coming into our world isn't an endorsement of the status quo. Christ comes calling us to repentance. My favorite translation of the word repent is "change your minds and hearts". A transformation of our hearts and minds changes how we see the world and each other. 


With all the changes around us, I encourage you to look to our traditions that help us see things differently. Pausing to pray, receiving the Eucharist, and receiving blessing and absolution are all acts of humility. All of the sacraments can help us see that God works in the material world. Lighting the Advent wreath reminds us to shine a light in the darkness. Making time to come together as a community and giving to that community or all acts that cause us to look at how we steward our time and resources. 


I encourage us all to see the changes, tragedies, and divisions of the world through these lenses of prayer, the sacraments, and community. Where do we see Christ calling us to serve him? Where is Christ born in our world today? Will I be changed by cynicism and despair or by the love of Christ? As we continue this journey of faith, remember that the angels sang of joy because God's anointed one was coming into the world. Even in the midst of change and hard things. We also sing with joy of Chirst among us and with us.


Peace,

Fr. John Mark 

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