Pastor’s Message for January 2024

Blessed Christmastide, Friends!

As we delight in the glow of the holiday season, I want to invite us to take a moment to pause for a moment amid the festive rush. While the merriment of the new year surrounds us, let’s immerse ourselves in the deeper significance of the season. Beyond the  twinkling lights and festive cheer, the essence of Christmas beckons us to focus on the Christ child not just for a day but for the entirety of the season.

Epiphany, often hailed as the “Twelfth Night,” stands as the grand finale of the Christmas season, inviting us to extend our celebration beyond December 25th. This joyous occasion traces its roots to the 2nd century in the Eastern Church. At its core, Epiphany commemorates the revelation of Christ to the world—the visit of the Magi and the baptism of Jesus.

Within Epiphany lies a reminder for us to linger in the presence of the Christ child for just a little longer. The call is offered to extend our focus and embrace the season as an opportunity for spiritual reflection and revelation.

So, as we say goodbye to the Christmas season, let’s carry the joy of Christ’s presence with us into the season of Epiphany. May the guiding star not only illuminate the path to the manger but inspire us to relish the presence of the Christ child, making the season a continuous celebration of hope, wisdom, and boundless love.

(Oh, and Ash Wednesday is just a few weeks away…)

God loves you, and so do I,
Pastor Jim