Advent is one of my favorite times in the Church Year-a time of preparation for the coming of our Savior Jesus into the world. I don't know about you, but I need that time, and not for shopping!

I need that time to reflect on my need for a Savior. I struggle with myself, as we all do, trying to make the best, most faithful decisions that I can make, in relationship to God, my family and to you, the Bethlehem community. To remember the coming of Jesus helps me focus on the Christ who lives in me, given in my baptism, strengthening me to make the right decisions, and forgiving me when I make the wrong ones. Left on my own, the wrong choices are all too easy. Without forgiveness, renewal and the strength to begin again, how could we live?

I need that time to reflect on the wonder of God's love. In Jesus, God becomes human, and shares in all that it means to be human-joys, sorrows, birth and death-all of it! God takes our world, our existence, which we so often take for granted, treat carelessly, or even throw away, and in Jesus, makes it holy. So I try to look around with new eyes. The poor and outcast matter, because Jesus cared (and because he lives, cares) about them. There are no "throw-away people," because Jesus loved, and loves all of us. I look at the environment, and the beauty of nature. They matter not only because God created them, but also in Jesus, God experienced them just as we do! I am reminded to work hard for peace and justice, because Jesus came to us as "Prince of Peace," and showed us with his life-his example, his teaching and ultimately his death and resurrection-what it means to live a life of reconciliation and peace with the people around us.

I need that time to reflect on my need to be grateful. There is a reason why the time around Christmas is the biggest time for giving of the entire year. We remember the gift of Jesus to our world, to us, and we respond with gifts-with giving ourselves. In Jesus, God promises to meet our needs, and so I can respond graciously and gratefully with my whole life-my time, my talent and my money. Our congregation shares the Good News of the coming Savior to our world, and that happens when you and I respond with our grateful offerings. I always try to see that my giving reflects my gratitude for how God is working in my life.

Advent is a time of reflection and preparation. I invite you to join me in worship each week as we offer concrete and specific ways for you to be ready for the birth of the Christ Child during a season that is frantic with activity and happens at the darkest time of the year. Both can get in the way of any meaningful reflection. Our Sermon Series is titled "Illumine our Darkness," and each Sunday will be a time of both preparing for and welcoming our Savior into a world in desperate need of the peace and light he brings. Christmas will take on wonderful meaning when you are prepared spiritually! Jesus will come to you in a new and powerful way. O Come, O Come, Emanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here, until the Son of God appears!

Thank you for your continuing partnership in the Good News and a blessed Advent and most Merry Christmas to you.

Pastor Christopher Nelson