Advent Letter – 2025

Christianity is so countercultural. The world celebrates success, strength, money, power, fame, etc. Jesus says blessed are the poor and poor in spirit, the meek, and those who mourn. Our society started decorating for Christmas the day after Halloween. The Church doesn’t hint at it until after Thanksgiving, and we don’t call it the Christmas season but Advent. The world around us stops celebrating Christmas December 25th, where we begin the Christmas season on Christmas day and celebrate it for 12 days until the Day of Epiphany (January 6), where we then hear the story of the Magi’s visit.

The world needs us to be even more countercultural. The world needs a people who advocate for the voiceless; who promote diplomacy as the way to peace; who exemplify living together amidst differences; who sacrificially give instead of gluttonously consume; who champion the way of forgiveness. The way of Jesus has always been countercultural – not just to our culture but to every culture, because it is contrary to human nature. Jesus gives a new nature – His. Advent tells of that newness breaking into our reality like light piercing darkness. Once again, may He bring joy to our world and peace on earth.

*Notes:

• We have added a late-night Christmas Eve service this year.
• We will only have two services the Sunday following Christmas.
• No Sunday School on Dec. 21 & 28.