As I write to you from the depths of Christmas Eve preparation, (just call me the Ghost of Christmas Past), the copier is steadily producing hundreds of bulletins, staff gifts waiting to be wrapped populate my office, and the siren’s call of all those holiday goodies you folks brought to us invite me to set aside my labors to indulge in some culinary delight.
I missed this. Missed it last year when we were quarantining thanks to my husband’s bout with COVID. Missed it because our in-person services were going to be our singular in-person event in months and then the preacher had to cancel. I am so grateful for the copier and the errands and the trips up and down the hallway that connects our offices. The to-do list is glorious and endless.
We know so much more now and so much has changed. 60% of the county and 80% of the country have been vaccinated – many of us have been boosted, too! We’ve been worshipping together for months and enjoying small groups and working together to serve others. We have sung together, a gift I will never again take for granted.
We were, and are, anticipating a busy January that will see the Open House for our renovated education wing and the Ordination of Rachel Kirk. We’ll preach on poets and prophets and, God willing, be marching in memory of Dr. King. But we are also noting the rising COVID numbers across the globe and country, watching as the omicron variant makes its way into Alachua County, re-evaluating our protocols and practices once more as a community and as individuals, to account for how much more contagious it is.
I am weary of this, as I am sure many of you are, too. A college friend who is a nurse in upstate New York posted a facebook memory of getting her vaccine last year on this December date, full of hope that the end might be in sight. And… it is not. She is frustrated and angry and hurting and exhausted. Many of my colleagues in ministry serving in already-surging areas are moving their Christmas Eve services online, and it’s so incredibly disheartening.
But I am reminded of the Magi – the wise ones, the sages – whose visit to the child Jesus we mark on Epiphany (January 6th, 12 days after Christmas on the calendar, and January 9th in our services). They travelled great distances into the unknown, not entirely sure what they were seeking or what they would find. When they arrived at the house, they rejoiced and worshipped. And after that, before returning home, they all dreamt of Herod’s treachery, dreamt of danger, and so faithfully determined to head home by another way
I am so grateful to you all – for the opportunity to journey with you in hope into the unknown, to rejoice alongside you, and even, when needed, to go another way in response to what we learn. Wherever we go, we go together, which is good news for all people; good news to me.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, beloved!
Bromleigh