when joy and sorrow meet

The shepherds received good news that would cause great joy for all people.  So have we.  But sometimes we forget just how good this news really is.  On Sunday we spent time in our worship acknowledging our grief and sorrow during the Christmas season.  We provided an opportunity for any who wanted to acknowledge that grief and the hope we have in Christ by lighting a candle.  In addition, of course, we took that time to remember the victims of the violence in Newtown, Connecticut last Friday and to pray for their families and loved ones.  Joy and sorrow mixed into our worship and for some I imagine it felt strange.  For most of us, however, I hope that strangeness was transformed into the hope and Good News of the gospel.

The night before our worship the cast and crew of the NBC television show, Saturday Night Live, opened their show in an uncharacteristic way.  A children's choir graced the stage and sang Silent Night.  I find it moving and fascinating that, when faced with incredible sorrow and pain, the producers of the show found solace and dignity in a hymn that extols the power of the birth of our Savior.  My guess is that they did not do so because of the strong Christian imagery, so much as the song's portrayal of innocence and peace.  Either way, they found that light in the context of the incarnation, whether they realized it or not.  I pray this will be a reminder to us all that the hope we need, the light we need in the darkest of times is found in Christ, God incarnate, God with us, come to set us free and teach us a new way to live.  I encourage you to listen, watch and ponder God incarnate this day, as we move ever closer to celebrating Christmas.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Stacey