Donna Brink-Fox, Elder; Personnel Committee

Light draws us in to the center, warming us with rays all around. This Advent season draw us together as a Third Presbyterian community, bathing us at the center of Christ’s light. Our time in Advent opens us up to receive—and to give—light.

Chris Bensch, Elder; Clerk of Session

During the winter months, one of our household’s traditions is to have candles lighted on the dinner table almost every night. It seems like a small thing, but somehow that glow has the power to turn leftovers into something much more elegant. Those dinner candles make me think of Advent. After all, a newborn baby is such a small and feeble thing. But like the glow radiating out from the candles, it’s amazing how the arrival of the Christ Child has the power to radiate out into so many lives and change the world.

Tom Klaseus, Elder; Congregational Fellowship Committee Chair

Reflecting on light in this Advent season, I think of:

• Long fall shadows, particularly at dusk and dawn;
• Warmth of home after being outdoors on brisk late fall days;
• Sharing a warm meal, particularly a hearty soup, upon arriving home;
• Offering thanks…

Peter DuBois, Director of Music/Organist

“I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord!’ Our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem—built as a city that is bound firmly together” (Psalm 122:1–3).

The psalm for today in the Daily Lectionary is so timely… as we just celebrated our first Sunday back in our renovated church home yesterday! Our time of waiting and expectation is complete—just as our spiritual time of waiting and expectation during Advent is almost complete. Our celebration of the coming of the Savior is just days away, and the sense of promise and joy is palpable. Let us carry that awakened sense of possibility and promise with us through the year—as we celebrate Christmas, and beyond!
Loving God, help us always to look forward with expectation and a sense of possibility. And let us joyfully gather in the House of the Lord in this season, and always. AMEN.

Gregg Hamberger, Elder; Adult Faith Development Committee Chair

Since the Advent season takes place around the winter solstice, and culminates in Christmas just after the solstice, humans historically focus on the importance of light at this time of year. We too can correlate that historic focus with our religious observances…

“The light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it” John 1:5.

George Gotcsik, Elder; Joint Budget & Finance Committee

A very special time for me is the first snowfall, whether seen with the filtered streetlight in front of the house or brilliantly lit by the morning sun. God’s creation is beautiful at any time, but in the stillness of that first snow, my excitement grows and I prepare to welcome Christ again as he comes into all the hearts that welcome him.

Rose Pethick, Elder, Outreach Committee

Advent Light:

• Brings brightness to friends and family;
• Warms gatherings and brings good feelings;
• Stirs us to send the gift of friendship to those far away during the Christmas season.

Bill Bay, Elder; Youth Committee Chair

Light is warmth—comfort in a time of harsh coldness.

Light is uplifting—raising spirits and encouraging activity and participation.

Light is reassuring—knowing that there is relief from “darkness”: sadness, trouble, sickness…

Chris Lenti, Associate Director of Music

“For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man” (Matthew 24:27).

I love the power of this image of the coming of Christ. Sometimes we get so wrapped up with the sweetness of the image of the “baby” at Christmas that we forget the true impact of the coming of God into the world. Everything was changed on the day when Jesus was born. The world was never the same, human history took a new turn. Life was transformed. The light of Christ came as a powerful force, shattering the darkness of human loneliness, isolation, hatred and despair. May we look to this light of Christ with hope and expectation, knowing that the love of God has changed and will continue to change our world.

Your light can be a gentle, healing glow, but it can also be a powerful bolt of lightning. Help us not to be afraid to feel, know, and believe in the mighty power of your presence in our world. AMEN.

Karen Pryor, Elder; Congregational Fellowship Committee

Images of light that come to mind in this Advent Season:

• Gathering around a warm fireplace—its reflections on the faces of your companions;
• Sharing candlelight in the sanctuary—voices raised in song;
• The spread, gloved fingers of the homeless seeking warmth from a shared campfire.

Roderic P. Frohman, Associate Pastor for the Church in a Dark World

“The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned” (Matthew 4:16).

The Festival of Santa Lucia is a Scandinavian winter tradition, kept by my family of origin, that honors Saint Lucy. Santa Lucia is actually a saint of Sicilian origin. It is believed by many that the Santa Lucia Festival, celebrated on the 13th of December, is relatable to early Viking celebrations of the Winter Solstice on December 21. Since Santa Lucia is associated with light, and with spiritual sight, the Festival brings light into the darkness of the winter months. Traditionally a young girl wears a halo of candles and brings sweet breads to her family in the predawn morning of December 13 to announce the beginning of the Christmas season.
          Saint Lucy, or Santa Lucia was a young girl who lived in about 300 CE. At a young age, her Christianity made her the target of anti-Christian sentiment. She was blinded and executed. Lucy is now associated with both light in the darkness and sight. The festival of Santa Lucia celebrates the light brought to one of the darkest days of the year, just as Lucy’s faith shown in a dark period for early Christians. (http://www.wisegeek.com/)

Holy God, as the darkness of long winter nights descends on us we pray for the light of your presence in our lives and in our world. Keep us from maudlin thoughts, stewing in our own juices and projecting a sour attitude on those around us. Help us to see the promise of new birth symbolized by the light of small candles.

Susan Rupp, Elder; Joint Budget & Finance Committee Chair

This is the time of year when darkness draws us inward and we wait—preparing for the return of light; bringing with it clarity and peace. As a congregation, we join in a silent anticipation of the celebration of the One who demonstrates the full embodiment of divinity and humanity—who teaches us the meaning of being human.

Beth Adams, Elder; Membership & Evangelism Committee, Website Coordinator

Reflecting on light in this Advent season I think of:

• Absence of light and absence of family;
• Twinkling and sparkle of light that become reminders of hope;
• Cozy warmth by the fire that reflects the feeling of warmth from love within.

 

Suzie Kieran, Elder; More Light Committee

When I think of light and Advent I recall:

• Late November with its warmer clothes, less light during the day, and more time with family;
• Light means learning, bringing out old ideas and rethinking them;
• That the Season of Advent is just past harvest, giving us more time to reflect—What new ideas must come into the light, to outshine the old and bring us forward with our fellows?

Gregg Miller, Elder; Worship, Music & Arts Committee

When I think of light and Advent I recall:

• An end to a depressing time—transformed into a time of joy;
• Warmth that comes from the light, not only warmth of body, but also of spirit;
• The Light that allows us to see what was not visible in the darkness.

Becky D’Angelo-Veitch, Coordinator of Children’s Ministry and Congregational Life

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it” (John 1:5).

This scripture is a part of the passage that we are focusing on for our current Qabats rotation. This sentence of scripture often comes to mind on Christmas eve when I sit at the 11:00pm service at my parent’s darkened church singing silent night with a lit candle in my hands. As a “tween” just old enough to stay awake through the late service, I would sit next to my grandmother. We would both surreptitiously glance down at her watch late into the service, until finally, its delicate hands came together at the12, and then, with huge smiles and soft whispers, we would be the first to wish each other, “Merry Christmas.”
         The first winter I came home from college, I removed my watch before heading out to church on Christmas eve, knowing that I could not bear to “see” midnight come, on that, our first Christmas without my Grandmother. And yet, midnight did come. Candles were lit, hymns were sung, and sorrow and joy mixed as we celebrated the birth of the savior who reminds us still that darkness will not overcome us.

Jim Chisholm, Elder; Joint Budget & Finance Committee

Reflecting on Advent, I think of the light:

• that shines in the eyes of grandchildren;
• that reflects in the eyes of grandparents;
• that warms the hearts of us all.

John Wilkinson, Pastor

Usually we perceive light to be a good thing. It provides warmth and illumination. But is the illumination always good? Good? Yes! Always easy? Perhaps not.
          An example... Recently, John Pilato (our wonderful lead sexton) replaced the overhead light bulbs in the chapel with a brighter, more powerful bulb. Suddenly, we were able to see better, more clearly, more brightly. We could read easily and see the beautiful details of that beautiful room. At the same time, we were able to see more clearly some work that needs done in the chapel, some worn out areas that had not always received the kind of care needed. Some of it is simply cleaning and maintenance. Some might have to wait until the next capital campaign! Either way, it was only with increased light were we able to see what needed attention.
          So was that good? Yes! Easy? Not necessarily, but surely needed in order for the chapel to be well-maintained and functioning at its best so that it can support our worship life.
          Perhaps Advent, or faith itself, can be that light that gives enhanced illumination and therefore heightened focus on what needs attention and care—in our church, in our world, in our lives.
          Jesus—whose birth we anticipate—is called the light of the world. As light, he illuminates and clarifies. Easy? Not always! Good? Absolutely?
God of light, help us to prepares our hearts and our world for the coming of Jesus, who is the light of the world. Help us tend to whatever needs illumination, so that we may live always into your promise. AMEN.

Bill Ramsay, Elder; Membership and Evangelism Committee

When I think of Advent and Light, I remember:

• The feeling of rebirth of the soul;
• The joy in singing the most beautiful music of this beautiful season of the church year;
• The joy and giving and receiving of fridship, love, and gifts.

 

Martha Tollers, Elder; Worship, Music & Arts Committee Chair

Reflecting on “Light”—I imagine:

The spreading of light—God’s light—within accompanies the is spreading of God’s love within one’s self. It is finding one’s self warm and calm and loved. Being warm and calm and loved, one can then share love outwardly. I think of the song: “This little light of mine…”

Ellen Rye, Elder; Youth Ministry Committee

Reflecting on “Light”—In this season of long cold evenings, we are reminded of the coming Birth of Jesus and the brilliant light he brings to our hearts. As the days grow shorter and the nights longer; we look forward to the coming birth of Jesus, who brings the light of hope, justice, and mercy.

Peg Rachfal, Elder; Membership & Evangelism Committee Co-Chair

Reflecting on “Light”—I think of:

• Flickering firelight on a cold evening;
• Arriving home to a dark, cold house that becomes filled with warmth, children’s laughter, the smells of dinner cooking, and the light of family;
• The light of the Christmas Eve service—candles flickering as they are lit during “Silent Night” and the added excitement of worshipping in our renovated sanctuary;
• God’s light, that follows us wherever we are.

Martha Langford, Associate Pastor for Congregational Care

Reflecting on  “Light”—The days are shorter now, so light seems precious—perhaps even as precious as the gifts those far-off kings brought the infant Jesus. I imagine them following the star through wilderness and wasteland, and wonder if that is not precisely the tenacity needed to follow Christ today.

God, grant us such tenacity so that we might follow your light wherever it leads us. AMEN.