A New Thing

​Every day the phrase, “you’re never too old to learn,” takes on new meaning.  I see “old” churches, both in terms of years they’ve existed and in terms of members’ ages, reaching out to learn and embrace possibilities in their current reality. Where once I heard crotchety cries to come do the work we need you to do, now I more often hear interest in learning what younger folks’ hopes and sorrows are. Take a minute to watch this delightful short (3 minute) video, English for Beginners,  about when making the effort to learn a new thing is absolutely worth the investment.
 
There are lots of things that get in the way of doing what we truly want to do. (At the moment I have a rough tongued yellow cat trying very hard to get between me and my laptop keyboard…..and here comes his grey brother.)   Sometimes it’s the pile of work we can’t seem to catch up with.  Sometimes it’s the stubborn attachment to the groove we’ve laid down for our habits. There’s fear of being wrong) or being right), or failing, or being ridiculed, or loosing something we are attached to so that the new has room to become.
 
We see it in John the Baptist’s struggle to fully embrace who Jesus is. We see it in Joseph’s struggle to come to terms with his commitment to Mary when she brings him good news that feels like bad.  There is a trail in Jesus’ genealogy, Abraham, Boaz, Jesse, and many more, all wondering what on earth God is leading them into and how they will manage to get there. 

Advent is about getting ready to pass through the comfort of CHristmas traditions and the challenge of God's Christmas appearance on our way to life as God knows it can be.  Blessings on the journey we share!