The first Sunday of Advent is November 30th this year. It is the Sunday after Thanksgiving and marks the beginning of our congregation's preparation for Christmas. As you read this newsletter you will discover plenty of opportunities to prepare for and celebrate Christ's birth in the coming weeks. We continue the season's activities with the Alternative Christmas Fair December 7th, a service of lessons and carols led by the Adult Choir December 14th , the children's Christmas play - The Trees of the Dancing Goats, and the Christmas brunch December 21st, culminating with the annual Christmas Eve candlelight service. Each week of Advent we have a special activity or worship service to guide our preparations. Add to these events your own holiday traditions, family gatherings, work, school and community events and December begins to feel like a holiday marathon that you just can't wait to complete. And somewhere in the midst of it all you might recognize the birth of Christ in the world once more.

Every year at this time I find myself longing for those moments when I experience Christ's birth anew, when I sense God's presence in spite of all the holiday fanfare. The ancient text above, Thou Shalt Know Christ, is one that reminds me that Christ's presence comes in unexpected ways and moments. It reminds me that the Christ I seek is not announced with pomp and circumstance, nor is this Christ recognized by the trappings of status or royalty. Instead, the Christ I seek is found deep within, "in the holy harmony that his coming makes in thee." Holy harmony in the holiday marathon? Is it possible? Would I even know Christ when he comes?

Most years I can look back and pinpoint an experience, a story, or an insight in which I experienced Christ's coming in a new way. Because of this I find myself walking through the Advent season with expectation, with searching eyes and open ears. I'm on the lookout for the signs and sounds of holy harmony. I find that I am eagerly waiting for that moment when I know somewhere deep within that God has been born anew in me and in you.

Watching and waiting,