“We must use time creatively, in the knowledge that the time is always ripe to do right.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

As we approach the Monday holiday in remembrance and celebration of Dr. King, I pray that this will be a moment to pause and reflect not only on where we are but also on what creative possibility lies ahead. Time itself is an act of creation in which God offers us yet another moment to have life. One of the most striking things about Dr. King is his repetitive urging to use this gift of time for the sake of others and the sake of the good for all people. This implies it is never too late; there is always possibility in the time we are given. There are so many ways to accept the call to do right with the time gifted to us.

Every heightened demarcation of time inevitably brings reflection and anticipation and few are as universal and culturally highlighted as the beginning of a new calendar year. This year is an incredibly poignant example. With good reason, I don’t think I saw nearly the number of “year in review” type shows and specials this year as in the recent past.

Having had a chance to see the Lessons and Carols service in advance and plan our 5:00 Christmas Eve “Carols and Communion” service with Stephen, I believe this year’s Christmas Eve will be as wonderful as anything can be during this pandemic. I have been so impressed and overjoyed by the creativity and can-do attitude of our staff and parishioners. In some ways, without this period we may never have had the chance to enjoy events like the Nativity Pageant and Lessons and Carols in so unique a way.

Further, in the same vein, our own personal loss in my family has brought an awareness of how beautiful the blessing of community and friends can be in the midst of difficulty. There is always a risk of seemingly denying the hard parts of any experience when naming bright points of light in such times as these. On the other hand, we run very low risk of losing sight of our collective struggle in this pandemic time or personal struggle at the loss of Sarah’s parents.

Dearest Holy Spirit community, thank you to all who have prayed for my family over the last week and for all your kind words and offers of care. If you are now hearing for the first time, we lost Sarah’s parents last week in a car accident. There is nothing like a church community to tangibly bring to life the promise of God’s desire to comfort and care for us in times of loss and sadness. We will miss Debra and Owen, and we are grateful for all they did to parent and grandparent.

The season of Advent is at its core a season about anticipating new life over and against what has come before. In a very broad sense, God came into the world to save us from isolation and death. We find the beginning of that fulfilment in the birth of Jesus at Christmas and it is our experience of that fulfillment that we anticipate. What does this mean? It means that God came among us (Emmanuel literally means “God with us”) so that we would never be alone or lost. God came for moments like this to let us know that when all feels lost and we feel rudderless, that we are held firmly and safely in the arms of one who will not let go.

Written Tuesday, December 8, 2020.

This week was our son’s birthday which, in addition to all the important milestones associated with him coming into the world and blessing Sarah and I, also reminds me of the first time I had Tex-Mex in Houston. The reason being that we happened to come to Houston to meet with Holy Spirit’s search committee at the same time that he turned 2. I still remember which table we sat at in Escalante’s that first night in Texas.

Memory is often heightened in the midst of unusual or special moments in our lives. I imagine this year will provide many such moments. I am hoping the joyful experience of everyone coming out to our field to see the pageant this Sunday evening and singing together on the field on Christmas Eve will be included in the surprising memorable blessings of this pandemic season.

To state the obvious, Advent and Christmas are going to look a little different this year…just like everything else we have done since March. That said, like so many other parts of our shared life of faith in 2020, our amazing leadership has adjusted and approached this season with an eye for possibility and a heart of determination. We will continue to hold everyone’s safety as a top priority while focusing on the Good News of God’s grace and love that is at the heart of this holy season.

First though, I want to make sure you know we are still caring for our neighbors through our Giving Tree this year, albeit virtually. You will find the information below. If you purchase a gift it will be delivered by Holy Spirit parishioners, so all gifts (including the blankets for WHAM) will be contactless this year. Note that the MAM gift drive will end this coming week. Please be a part of taking care of those in our community as we share the joy of this season.

Every year, the Thanksgiving holiday invites us to pause and reflect on the many things for which we are grateful. The love of God, family, church, and friends always make my list and are likely common at many tables. This year, much of our observance will be different. Like many others, my family will have a smaller simpler gathering than is our tradition. I know of families eating over zoom or gathering on both sides of a glass door just to get to see each other. I truly missed Holy Spirit’s yearly Thanksgiving Dinner and Eucharist with our smoked turkey and everyone’s wonderful sides and deserts.

Every year, as the fall programming kicks off, we begin the intentional process of inviting you to join your fellow parishioners in the financial planning of our community.  We ask that you prayerfully consider what you are being called to offer to the ministry of our church next year and then fill out a pledge card.  With your commitment our vestry and wardens can work with the staff and myself in planning for the ministry of the coming year.  We always seek to find ways to be the best possible stewards of your contribution as God turns all of our offerings into the miracle of ministry that expands and proclaims the Good News of God’s grace and love.