12/15 Red, Green, Silver and …

Christmas comes in many colors. Sometimes, the third candle, lit today in the Advent wreath, is rose colored. Sometimes, it’s blue. My church uses all blue candles, but I’ve used an Advent wreath with dusty rose and purple candles in my home. No matter what color the third candle is, it symbolizes joy. Once again, like last week, my church had a baptism. Our pastor is quite generous with the baptismal water. The baby was not overjoyed to have a handful of water splashed on his head. Yet, in the midst of his protests, he gave joy to the congregation who watched this squirming little fellow express his dissatisfaction in such a cute way. Once baptized, he was happy to be back with mom … or dad … he couldn’t decide who he wanted more. It was a lovely, endearing moment. Then there was the moment during the children’s sermon when a little boy joyfully announced that he had gotten Ninja underwear as a present. Little children can color our world with joy, can’t they? My socks today are a joyous riot of red, green, silver, and orange.

12/8 Chickadee-dee-dee

Dec 8 – Change doesn’t come easily for me. In December, I change my socks from boring to flamboyant, but after yesterday’s upside down Santa suit socks, I needed a break from all that excitement. So today, the socks that I wore to church were all about chickadees and holly. They’re even in a calming rust color, rather than vibrant Christmas red. If socks can be peaceful, these are peaceful socks. In order to make our church a more welcoming place, we’ve been holding worship in the fellowship hall for eight months while the sanctuary gets a complete make-over. As we near the end of the upheaval, we are finally getting a break. The change is almost over. Today was the first Sunday of worship in the new space. We lit the peace candle for the second Sunday of Advent. Making this service extra-special was the baptism of our pastor’s grandson, who sat placidly in Grandpa’s arms, taking it all in, even as he was being blessed. He was at peace in that loving embrace. The peace that comes after great change filled our church today. Peace to you this Christmas season.