December 2013 – Pr. Anthony’s Letter

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Advent is here! A blessed time of the year when we prepare ourselves for Christmas as well as Christ’s com-ing. Many people throughout the world see the days in December leading up to the 25th to be simply a time to prepare for Christmas through buying gifts, decorations and food. For us, Advent certainly is a time to prepare ourselves for Christmas and the celebration of Christ’s birth, but it is also a time to prepare our hearts and minds for Christ’s return. Throughout the four Sundays in Advent (beginning on December 1st) you will hear the scripture readings focus on both Christ coming as an infant as well as his return.

The celebration of Christmas has become a world-wide holiday. Christmas is a recognized and celebrated hol-iday in over 80% of the world’s countries, but most people don’t celebrate Christmas because of God being born into this world as an infant. Rather Christmas is celebrated for the purpose of gift giving, decorating, and gathering with family and friends. These are certainly all good reasons to celebrate as I enjoy Christmas for these reasons as well, but as you will read in Pastor Eric’s article this month, how do we as Christians set our-selves apart from the secular? I’ve heard some of you describe your dream for Circle of Faith to be a beacon of hope in southern Minnesota. With that in mind I have the following question to ask, “How do we as mem-bers of St. Peter, Trinity, and Waverly Lutheran churches and partners of Circle of Faith Parish become this bright shining beacon in South Central Minnesota?” How do we set ourselves apart from the secularization of this world to be God’s hands and feet in this world of need? How does Circle of Faith Parish shine its light in the middle of the dark, snow covered prairie? I believe the answer to these questions lie within our theme verse for this year, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” We have been set apart to proclaim the good news about what God has done for us through our words as well as our actions in helping and serving our neighbors. How do we become a bright shining beacon in South Central Minnesota?…by helping and caring for those around us. We do this not out of obligation or fear of lack of money, but out of God’s love because it was God who first showed us mercy and now we in turn are showing mercy to those around us.

Stephanie, Nicholas and I wish all of you a very blessed Advent and Christmas season. May it be filled with joy, laughter, and everlasting peace that comes from God. Merry Christmas!

In Christ,

Pastor Anthony