We had our first significant snow of the season. Just in time for Christmas. It did cause us to have only an online presence for Sunday service, which was fine with me. I got to interact with some of you who have not returned to our in-person service.
Rev. Todd Glacy was our special guest musician, as Deana was taking a well-deserved Sunday off. It was fun to work with Todd. For one of the musical numbers, he did a traditional Christmas carol, Deck the Halls, with his beloved Sue Vittner and our new trustee.
This was the fourth Sunday of Advent, which is joy. It was only fitting to continue the series Christmas Reel to Real using the movie A Christmas Carol, which was about a man who lost his joy and found it on Christmas.
Here are 10 abbreviated lessons we can learn from this Christmas classic.
- Learning begins with listening: When we listen, we learn. When we learn, we have the potential to grow and change in ways that will not only help us, but also those around us.
- Humility enhances vision: Scrooge feels sorrow at his past memories. He feels remorse for having treated people badly. In short, he humbles himself. And when we see our shadow self, we are able to allow God to help us.
- Regret leads to renewal: Humility and regret are always means to a greater end. Regret is the boost that allows humility to grow.
- Bitterness will poison you: It’s been said that bitterness is like swallowing poison and expecting the other person to die. The victim of bitterness is us.
- There’s joy in starting over: Scrooge gets a bad rap. Too much attention is paid to his mean-spiritedness and not enough to the all-new Ebenezer. Scrooge’s turn-around reminds us there’s hope for us all, if we’re willing to begin anew.
- We must be present to win: On Christmas morn, Scrooge notices life around him instead of only himself. When Scrooge asks a young lad to deliver a turkey to Bob Cratchit, it reminds us; the former taker is now a giver, which begins with noticing the needs of others.
- Seeking forgiveness is a strength, not a weakness: Actions often say we’re sorry more than words.
- We need to live with the end in mind: To live with the end in mind is to be inspired to change now.
- Redemption is about changed hearts: What needs changing is people’s hearts — ours and others.
- It’s never too late to change.
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened for you,” says Matthew 7:7
Join us for our traditional Christmas Candlelight service Friday night at 7. Then on Sunday we will complete the Christmas Reel to Real series with The Polar Express.
You are a blessing in my life,
Rev. Patricia Bessey
Labyrinths are ancient geometric figures. One leaves one’s worries and stress at the entrance and walks meditatively to the middle. As one walks to the center she/he becomes centered within her/himself, calmer, and more grounded. 
