December 6, 2023 Weekly Update
Hello church,
Last Sunday we began our advent worship series, “How Does a Weary World Rejoice?” We’re asking ourselves that question through out this season in order to bring our true selves – mixed emotions and all – to this special time of year. The artists that created this worship series developed a beautiful logo we have included above. We’ve also printed a banner with the logo in our sanctuary. It serves as a focal point for our attention during worship.
But what is the logo? The design includes two people. One (the top person) is radiating joy, symbolic of the Advent and Christmas themes. The other person (on the bottom) is wading into weariness. Together, they hold the world together. During the holidays, we often feel a lot – estrangement, grief, anxiety, anticipation, sadness, or even fear. And we get a lot of pressure to feel joyful and happy. Voices all around make us think we have to push out the bad feelings because we are ONLY supposed to feel joy this time of year.
But that’s not true, and not who God created us to be. We can feel both things at the same time. Jesus, the one who brings joy to all people, was born into a weary world. The logo of two people – one weary, one joyful – shows us how these two contrasting emotions are connected. They are both part of our human experience. They are both part of God’s world. Joy and weariness are part of God’s experience, the God who became flesh to save the world.
This Advent, we are holding space for our joy and our weariness. Despite experiencing a hurting world, we will seek a “thrill of hope” and welcome joy together. Join us for worship in person or online this Sunday to experience Advent together.
And don’t forget, we have an advent devotional that follows this series. Click the link below and bookmark the page to go deeper in your faith this season.
Advent Blessings,
Pastor Jared
