Dear Caldwell,
Today I met someone for coffee. As I arrived, I saw a commotion at a store two doors down. Several dozen people were packed tightly around the store’s close front doors. Someone was announcing over a loudspeaker something about when the doors would open. The people on the street were shouting. Police arrived and made several arrests before dispersing the crowd, defusing what looked to me, at least, like a volatile situation.
It turned out it was all about … sneakers. It seems a national shoe manufacturer was releasing its newest line in very small quantities, just a few at a time (don’t ask me why) .
Having witnessed the scene and thinking about the kind of world we all long to see, I said to the person I was meeting, “We’re not there, yet.” That person repeated, “No, we are not there yet.”
But in other ways, perhaps more heavenly ways, we are getting closer. This Sunday is the last in Advent before the day of our Lord’s birth, bringing to us the season of Christmastide, when we all might pray to be swept away, again, by God’s incarnate grace. So, come to church Sunday to hear Veronica preach about what Mary and Elizabeth made of how the Lord had turned their lives upside-down. Preaching on Luke 1:39-55, Veronica’s message is titled “Women’s Night Out” (aren’t you curious now?) Come sing carols. Come exchange glad tidings with your church family. Come hear our wonderful choir hail the “incarnate deity.”
As always, Sunday school (led by intern Will Davis, continuing a discussion of Advent devotions) at 9:45 and Caldwell House breakfast, prep beginning at 7 and served at 8:30.
I hope you’ve marked your calendars for our Christmas Eve service, Monday the 24th at 5:30 p.m. We’ll hear lessons, sing (more) carols, enjoy peaceful music and light our candles to take forth the Light of the world.
For all who are traveling, I wish you Godspeed and “traveling mercies,” especially those who may be headed toward the winter weather that arrived yesterday.
Looking forward to seeing the rest of you soon – and very soon. We are going to see the King.
We’re almost there!
In Christ,
John