This is the day we would change our sanctuary with the Hanging of the Greens.  Change.  2020 has been a year of change for all our lives, in so many ways.  John the Baptist talked about change that was certainly coming.  The thing is for the change to take place, it was the people who had to change.  The church is only a building, but its people are the church and we “prepare for the Lord, by preparing yourselves.”

With the COVID19 pandemic, our church services have been cancelled until the first of the year.  This is the best decision for the congregation’s health.  However, that does not cancel our relationship with God, or our need to worship God.  Each of us began our relationship with God by simple faith and trust; we must continue that way until He comes.  Yes, this year has been a trial for us in many ways, but the same God that found us, continues to lead us.

So today, as we miss a tradition of the past at our church building, we still ready our homes and our hearts for the Christmas season.  Today, in our hearts, we light the Candle of Hope that will open all the dark places in our lives and memories to the healing light of Christ.  We ask Him to show us the creative power of hope, as we prepare our hearts to be transformed by Him, that we may walk in the light of Christ and spread light to all nations.

“With hope and anticipation, let us honor God.  With our hearts, minds, souls, and strength.  For by God’s great mercy, we have a living hope that indeed the Messiah will be born anew.  O come, Lord Jesus, for we have need of thee.”