Christmas Letter to the Synod

Greetings in this season of wonder and anticipation!

Recently, I heard someone say we measure our lives by seasons and the thought intrigued me. I did not know the individual, however the phrase “we measure our lives in seasons” ruminated in my thoughts throughout the day. At the close of each year, I do reflect and measure the worth of my experiences by the turning of the seasons. What was planted? What new thing happened? What died? What sprung up with wonder and surprise? I concur that life is measured by the seasons of Creation and the emotional seasons that affect our humanity. Some of you may have a similar year-end ritual of looking back at the year as you begin to look forward.

What do you think about the season of Christmas? "If in faith we say, "It is Christmas"—in faith that is determined, sober, and above all courageous - then we mean that an event came bursting into the world and into our life, an event that has changed all that we call the world and our life" (Karl Rahner).

Life as we know it is not only changed by pandemics and the isms, discords, inflation, systemic chains that seem never to break, or the divisiveness of political tensions. The world is changed by the simple fact of God's great love for us. We are wrapped in love as sinew and skin clothe our bodies. The Incarnation is about love putting on flesh to show us how very much loved we are. The Holy loves humanity, all of us. Christ came with no special privilege. He bore every fate: hunger, weariness, enmity, disappointment, terror, and death, so to be like us in every way. God chose us. The Gospel of John 1:14 reminds us, "The Word became flesh and lived among us. We have seen His glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth."

This season Christmas comes with two opportunities among many. Howard Thurman suggests two actions: to reconcile with people and offer a gift of grace to someone else. The first gift of reconciliation is a gift to ourselves. Reconciliation frees us to live in peace. Second, to offer grace - a simple blessing of encouragement, and the benefit of goodwill.

We can mark this season with peace as we share the world's weight with others. We can stand in hope amid the liminal transitions in ministry. We can embody infectious love.

I join you in praying that Christmas comes to every congregation and family. This season, take the opportunity to enjoy the traditions that give you a sense of the Holy and the things that add value to your well-being. The new year will come with surprises of opportunities and challenges. Today enjoy the present amid the groans of the earth and the laments of our losses. Experience the whispers of angels. The night is still, and the stars shine bright. Holiness is all around. God is speaking and birthing new hope into the world. Look for the signs.

This is Christmas. Let it be a merry one for you and yours!

Rev. Dr. SanDawna Gaulman Ashley