From the Rectory

December shows up at the end of the calendar year, and many folkare consumed with activities surrounding“Christmas” (sadly, with a lowercase ‘c’)such as planning parties, scheduling vacacions, shopping and shipping gifts attending concerts,plays, and… oh yeah… we should probably go to church. I have heard the term “CEO” in reference to people who attend worship on Christmas and Easter only. Now, there's nothing wrong with thenholiday hustle and bustle per se, and who am I to dictate where or when one shouldnbe in church? The good Lord knows I'm far from perfect, and I'm certain there are individuals who might have strong opinions about my religious practices and preferences. But dIdigress…
December actually is the beginning of the liturgical year. We won't sing “Auld Lang Syne” or countdownnto midnight, but we do celebrate the first Sunday of Advent on December first this year. I kind of like the idea of an advent calendar as anreminder that it's a new year. Plus, Advent is just plain cool as we anticipate the wondrousness of the Savior's birth. Truly, this is a busy season for churches. I don't personally know the details or rituals which are prescribed by the Church (withnan uppercase ‘C’) but I love that we take a beat, then dive in to the treasured This new year, this old story, this renewal of living a more intentional life is the perfect time to let go of the insignificant things that separate us from Christ and prevent us from sharing Christ's love. It's
okay to forgive your neighbor, to mend your relationship, to offer kindness to a stranger. As the hands and feet of Jesus, what greater gift can we give? Matthew 25 teaches us: 31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as anshepherd separates the sheep from thengoats, 33 and he will put the sheep at
his right hand and the goats at the left. 34 Then the king will say to those at hisright hand, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world, 35 for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I wasna stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was nakedand you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ 37nThen the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food or thirsty and gaven you something to drink? 38 And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed 38 naked and gave you clothing? 39
And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ 40 And the king will answer
them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.’
In my opinion, remembering this lesson makes me a little less Grinchy. Knowing we are called to serve helps me to put things in perspective — the Joneses will be just fine if I can't keep up with them. Frankly, I'd rather feel a little “less than” for a minute than to watch my bank account shrink to an“less than” status buying things that really just aren't worth all that much. My children ultimately appreciated gifts of time, attention, and unconditional love more than any gadgets, gizmos, or games they received as youngsters. And in many ways, they now give of themselves to othersnwhich makes me feel like I did okay raising them to be grateful and generous men.
So feel free to ignore the marketing ploys designed to make you and your money part ways, let go of any anxiety telling you every holiday thing has to be “perfect” (who determines that anyway?) and embrace the spirit which moves you! Whether you're moved to give of your talents, your time, or your treasure, do so with the assurance of
God's love. As they say, it's the thought that counts.
This is indeed a new year, and the ideal  to rededicate yourself to walking with
the Lord. That's the thought which counts the most.
From the Rectory,
Sylvia