Last night, as I was cuddling with my 7 year old, she wanted to hear stories of her life. In the process we talked about Covid’s influence on her life, and I learned that she apparently hadn’t realized that Covid killed many people and even led to long Covid that some still live with. As she was shocked, and concerned about friends who’ve had it recently, I immediately shifted to talking about the vaccine and how it is much less likely to do so now. Then this morning I read a post from a fellow Pastor about looking back at Advent 2020, and remembering what it was like in the midst of the Pandemic.

All this made my heart heavy this morning. I am grieving again for lives lost, lives irrevocably altered, and for my children’s childhood that has been so different because of it. I guess I also grieve for myself. For some of the shapes that my life has taken in the midst of it all, whether from it or just in tandem with it.

Life is filled with joy and sorrow. Dreams fulfilled, dreams deferred, dreams dashed, and dreams that turned out different from what we thought they would be. Sometimes I don’t know what that means for me. But each day I try to pick myself up and keep moving forward.

In the midst of Advent, a season of anticipation, may you be reminded through Scripture that this has not been and is not the way the world ought to be. May you have hope that by the grace of Jesus Christ, the future will be better than the past even if it takes a downward journey in between. May you find courage and strength from the Holy Spirit to be part of the work needed to get there. May you find the comfort from your Heavenly Father that you are loved, and you are not alone on this journey to a better tomorrow.

If you are struggling this Advent season, for whatever reason. I hope you’ll make space for yourself. One option is to find a Blue Christmas service. They can be a powerful place for finding healing, hope, and comfort as we remember what is no longer, what cannot be, and the pain of what is not yet. My other congregation, Shepherd of the Hills, will be holding one on Saturday Dec. 21st, 7pm and you are all invited to attend.

Blessings & Peace,

Pastor Jennifer