A Coat is a Hug You Wear

Gift-giving is central to our Christmas celebration. Hannah gave her son Samuel a coat every year as her way of remaining present with him. So too we can be present with those God has brought into our lives when we give of who we are and what we have. Raising our voices can be tangible!

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Bethlehem People

It’s hardest for us to speak up in the circles that know us best. But those circles – our families, our co-workers, our friends and neighbors – are where we have the most influence. So how can we find the confidence to live out God’s calling among the people who know us best? We find the answer in a little town called Bethlehem…

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Don’t Forget to Rejoice!

Ironically, too often in the midst of our preparation to celebrate Christmas, we forget to actually celebrate. The same is true of our work for justice – we burn out or get overwhelmed. The third Sunday of Advent reminds us this work belongs ultimately to God, not us. So we need to take time to pause and rejoice that God is faithful!

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Magnificent Refinement

Who do you most identify with in the Christmas story? Maybe we most love Mary and Joseph, or the magi on their road trip, or the shepherds. The song Mary sings while she’s pregnant with Jesus is a reminder that Christmas is about more than gifts and parities… it’s about God rescuing the world. What does that mean for us? Well… it depends on where we are in God’s story.

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