December 2, 2021

As we continue our journey through the Advent season our thoughts naturally turn towards Christmas, a time for fellowship and family gatherings. But we must remember that going home is sometimes not as easy as it sounds. There are some who are afraid to go home, afraid of home itself. Maybe they’ve experienced pain there; maybe they felt unfairly judged, neglected, or unloved. So, let us acknowledge that hesitancy. Do we need to confess that there were times when we have not provided the sense of home that we wanted to, that we haven’t been as hospitable as we could be? Do we need to offer invitations to reconciliation, even in the most complicated of relationships? The call to come home means to overcomeour fears that it won’t work the way we hope, and it means committing to be an example of the Kingdom in our life together.


Let’s also be aware that when we speak of family, it is not just individual families that may need love, care and grace to rebuild their sense of home. We are also talking about the whole community, the church, and the surrounding neighborhoods. There is division; there are those who feel excluded. Who is being left out? Who is not being welcomed, whether intentionally or not? Who is not here, and what would it take for them to feel welcomed, included, invited? What confessions do we need to make about our shortcomings in welcoming all people into our community and church family?


Prayers of confession can be opportunities to open doors that have been closed too long. They can be a commissioning to the task of reconciliation. This coming Sunday is the second Sunday of Advent. It is the Sunday when we light the candle of peace. This signifies that Advent is a time of coming together, of building a community of faith that is open to all. In this week’s Gospel reading (Luke 3:1-6), John the Baptist’s call isn’t just a personal call to live a better life; it is an invitation to the whole community to be a sign of the Kingdom. Please join us as we explore how best to answer.



Your friend in Christ,
​Rev. Ernest
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