Christmas 2011 Pastoral Letter
Advent 2011
The Collect for the First Sunday of Advent
Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Beloved in Christ,
Many years ago the prophet Isaiah proclaimed God’s word and said:
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness on these light has shined. For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:2, 6)
As we begin the holy season of Advent, we are doing more than preparing to celebrate Christmas. We are preparing to celebrate the new life that our Lord Jesus Christ has given to us through His Holy Spirit. We have seen a great light - the Light of Christ has come into the world. Those who know and love the Lord Jesus are the people of this light. We are always being called to walk in the light of Christ.
For many, the world now seems a very dark place. Grief and loss of loved ones, unemployment, financial insecurity, foreclosures of homes, political unrest, and not enough food, heat, or housing - all contribute to this “bleak mid-winter.” But there is hope. God has sent his Son to save and redeem the world.
The Gospel of John testifies that God has overcome the darkness of the world by the birth, death, and resurrection of His Son. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being was life, and this life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it. (John 1:1-5)
Because we have seen the light and the Light of Christ dwells in us, we have received grace to cast away the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. We invite you to join us in the Advent pilgrimage through repentance and prayer, through the reading and meditation of Holy Scripture, and through works of compassion and grace. Then, when our Lord Jesus Christ comes He may find in us a mansion prepared for Him.
Our Christmas offering will be used to help those in need in our local communities. If you cannot attend worship in the church on Christmas but would like to receive communion at home, please call the church (860/388-0895) to arrange a convenient time. We consider it an honor and a privilege to bring Christmas Communion to those who are sick or shut-in.
May you keep a Holy Advent and join us for a joyful celebration of the birth of the King of kings and the Lord of lords.
Faithfully Yours,
The Revs. Charles and Ellendale Hoffman
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