It is not what I expected. Patti and I are busy. Our “to do” lists for Christmas, for the end of the year, and just in general are long. We always have things to do. I expected that once our children were all out of the house and on their own that we would have a bit more time to relax. And, I suppose, some of the time that is true. We no longer have holiday band concerts and a dozen Christmas parties to attend for all the school groups and scout groups and other things with which our children were involved, but in many cases, other things seem to have stepped into their place to occupy our time.

This year Noah had purchased tickets to see his Pittsburgh Steelers play on Christmas day so there was a question of when he might make an appearance at our house (but he decided to sell them for a profit instead). And we might not see Jonah at all as he prepares to move from Texas to his next duty station in Georgia. But we know that we will spend time with Lina, Daniel, and watch as little baby Quinn celebrates his first Christmas with us.

But as much as our lives change, the more I sometimes lean into the comfortable traditions of the church. Our children grow, move out, and their lives go on. Our activities and traditions at home adapt, change, and evolve into something new. But the cycle of Advent and Christmas as church continues much as it has for generations. Minor changes and additions are made with each new generation but much of the old and the familiar remain. Pastor Chris reminded me this morning that the Christmon ornaments that decorate the tree in our sanctuary were once new, but the creators of those “new” ornaments attended worship at Christ Church more than 40 years ago. I suspect that if members who attended here or more years ago could somehow walk through our doors this Christmas season, they would notice the things that have changed but would still find much that was familiar and comforting.

But isn’t that just an architectural reflection of our relationship with Jesus Christ? From the time that we are born until the time that our life on earth comes to an end, our lives are constantly changing. Our families change, the people close to us change, we grow, we change jobs, change careers, have children, watch those same children grow up and move out, then watch the cycle repeat with grandchildren. In my lifetime, not counting school dormitories or military barracks, I have lived in thirteen homes. And, as a married couple, Patti and I have lived in six of those homes. But throughout that time, we have always celebrated Advent and Christmas. The Christmases that we celebrated at church with our grandparents, our parents, and our children were not much changed despite the passing years. While we may have worshiped in different churches in various places, we still worshiped the same God and remembered and celebrated the birth of the same savior.

I hope that all of you will join us this year for our seasonal celebrations during the Advent and Christmas season. The building will feel comfortably familiar, many of the people will be the same as when you attended last year, or even ten years ago, the decorations will likely be the same as those in your memory, and of course, we will worship with the God who never changes, and celebrate the birth of Jesus who is, and was, and always will be.

As much as your life today might be different than it was a year ago, or ten years ago, or even a lifetime ago, I invite you to join us in those things that are familiar and unchanging. May we, together draw closer to one another, and closer to God.

Blessings,

Pastor John

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*Rev. John Partridge is the pastor at Christ UMC in Alliance, Ohio.  Duplication of this message is a part of our Media ministry, if you have received a blessing in this way, we would love to hear from you.  Letters and donations in support of the Media ministry or any of our other projects may be sent to Christ United Methodist Church, 470 East Broadway Street, Alliance, Ohio 44601.  These messages are available to any interested persons regardless of membership.  You may subscribe to these messages, in print or electronic formats, by writing to the address noted, or by contacting us at secretary@CUMCAlliance.org.  These messages can also be found online at https://pastorpartridge.com .  All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.comThe “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

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