I have only been a full-time pastor for 8 1/2 years, but in every one of those 8 1/2 years I have frequently said that there should be New Year’s or Epiphany cards (boxed like Christmas Cards are) for pastors. There are so many demands on our time during this joyous season that there is often something on the home front that gets missed. For me that seems to be the Christmas cards. I found three boxes of them when we moved. I even pulled them out a couple of weeks ago with every intention of sending them out in time for Christmas, especially since our address changed this year. Yet, for several reasons, they are still in the unopened boxes on my dining room table. Since it is now December 21st and I have three worship services between now and Christmas, I am not holding out much hope of getting them mailed again this year. Even so, I want everyone to know how much and how often you are thought of. You are friends for a reason, and that reason is because God put you in my life. I cherish the friendships and the memories that we have together. And if by some chance, you are reading this and we have not actually met, I look forward to having the chance to do so and build a friendship with you.
Since I didn’t get a chance to write and send out a Christmas letter this year, I will take the time to do so here. It has been an interesting year to say the least. We absolutely loved our church and our time in Post, Texas, but because of some things that were outside my control, my husband and I felt it was time to move on. So, I requested a transfer back to my home conference, which is how we came to move to Deming, New Mexico. It has been a good move for both of us. My husband has been able to go back to coaching wrestling at the local high school, an activity that he absolutely loves, but wasn’t available as Post did not have a wrestling team. I am already in love with my new church, her people, and her ministries. All our people – past and present parishioners, past and present friends – will hold a special place in our hearts forever. Thank you all for being a part of our lives. Thank you for answering when God called us into loving relationships with each other and with God.
I am not going to lie, though, our move and our year have not been without struggles. I still don’t have anything up on the walls in our new home. I can’t find my Christmas Scentsy warmer. I haven’t yet made friends with many people outside my new church. We put one dog down due to his health issues right before we moved and have acquired a new one (a mini dachshund, who is just the cutest) who has chewed up two pairs of pajama pants, two pillows, and got to go to the emergency vet after she made her way onto the table where the chocolate chip cookies were cooling and helped herself to her new found bounty. We have struggled financially since the move since it took a while for my husband to find gainful employment. I put a big dent in my car, my welcome to Deming present caused by a retaining wall at our new home which I didn’t see (it was behind a big yucca plant) when I pulled into the driveway. My husband and I have both been sick for much of December (which is but one of the reasons for the lack of Christmas cards). Our son is unable to come home for the holidays. And I have to work on Christmas Day since it’s a Sunday.
My point here is that life is about choices. We can choose to focus on the good and find joy, or we can choose to only see the bad and wallow in our misery. As for me, and I hope I am speaking for my husband as well, I am choosing the good. At least I am in this moment. I know that there are times when the bad seemed to be all consuming. But today, in this moment, I am choosing the good.
We just finished an Advent Bible study at church last night. It was one that was written by my colleague and friend, Matt Rawle. It was called The Heart That Grew Three Sizes: Finding Faith in the Story of the Grinch. I loved the whole study, but I especially loved the last chapter, which was about joy. In it Matt writes, “Joy is the steadfast assurance that God is with us. God is with us yesterday, today, and tomorrow.” He then goes on to say, “Joy is not something we can do. Joy is simply found.” Too often, I think we equate joy with happiness when they are two separate and completely different animals. Happiness is an emotion, a reaction to external forces. Joy is much deeper. Joy is a soul condition. Joy is simply found and experienced; oftentimes it is found and experienced because we have known sadness and heartache. Joy comes to us when we know that we know that we know that Jesus Christ came as a baby, a human being yet also divine, to live and grow as the incarnate God, and then to suffer, die, and be resurrected as our victory over sin and death!!! How awesome is that. Our joy comes from Christ’s suffering, but suffering that lead to ultimate victory.
The Psalmist says, “In your [God’s] presence there is fullness of joy!” (Psalm 16:11). So as we near Christmas, 2022, may you always seek Jesus and His presence. I do wish you and yours much happiness; but more than that I wish you joy. The joy that comes because Jesus Christ is living among us. And more than that, Jesus Christ is living within us.
Have a blessed and joyous Christmas, one and all!
Much love from the pastor who has nothing to say.
~Pastor Koreen