December 19th, 2025 | Rev. Rachel Williams

Dear Beloved Friends,

          Each Sunday of Advent, my family and I sit down for dinner and light the next Advent candle on the wreath. The hope candle is turning into a nub. The peace candle has accumulated an impressive amount of wax, and the joy candle shines proudly with its height intact. The kids keep asking to light the fourth candle, the candle of love, but I remind them each night that we have to wait. It’s not time yet.

Waiting is hard, especially for a little kid. Actually, it seems that waiting is hard for us all. But here we are, six days from Christmas, still in the waiting. As we set our eyes to Bethlehem, may we prepare our hearts for the Christ child by extending love to those around us- our friends, family, acquaintances, neighbors.

May we also pay extra care to see those who might be overlooked in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Invite someone to service on the 24^th (you have plenty to choose from!), or join the Homeless Coalition for Christmas Day Brunch in Maxwell Hall on Christmas morning. Carry with you the light of Christ as it grows ever brighter.

Though I’m a few days early, I want to wish each of you a peaceful, bright, love-filled Christmas.

With hope, peace, joy and love,

Pastor Rachel