Advent in 2020 is unlike any I’ve ever known before.  Oh, I’ve taken the Advent journey to Bethlehem many times before, but never with the restraints, constraints and isolation we are currently experiencing.  The journey has always included hundreds and hundreds of others in the way of friends, family and church family with festivities, parties, and worship services.  This year forces me to see things differently and thanks to the poetry and prodding of Ann Weems, the Bethlehem approach is enhanced in a personal and meaningful way. 

                        In each heart lies a Bethlehem,
                                     an inn where we must ultimately answer
                                     whether there is room or not.
                        When we are Bethlehem-bound
                                     we experience our own Advent in his.
                        When we are Bethlehem bound
                                     we can no longer look the other way
                                      conveniently not seeing stars
                                      not hearing voices.
                        We can no longer excuse ourselves by busily
                                     tending our sheep or our kingdoms.

                        This Advent let’s go to Bethlehem
                                     and see this thing that the Lord has made known to us.
                        In the midst of shopping
                                     let’s ponder in our hearts the Gift of Gifts.
                        Through the tinsel
                                     let’s look for the gold of the Christmas Star.
                        In (lieu of) the excitement and confusion and the merry chaos,
                                     let’s listen for the brush of angels’ wings.
                        This Advent, let’s go to Bethlehem
                                     and find our kneeling places.

May your Advent journey be a time of discovering many gifts along the way – but at the end of it all, may you find yourself in a place of kneeling, adoration and awe – as we receive the greatest gift of all.  I pray that you will experience Advent differently this December – and while it will be notably missing many “normal traditions” – may your inner life experience things you might have missed had nothing ever changed from previous years.  Perhaps we can be surprised with new things, thoughts, insights and feelings – all because of the greatest Christmas gift of all.

Advent Blessings,

Rev. Dr. David D. Young
Senior Minister