In this Issue:

Convention 2006

Alaska's Bishop Mc Donald, keynotes 2006 Convention

Nominees for Diocesan Offices

Resolution Alert! Due in Diocesan Office by February 3

Other Stories

Ministry of Hospitality: St. Paul's Newport

Listening: King's message spans Americas, Panama's bishop declares

Haitian institute director killed in Port-au-Prince

Trinity Institute explores 'The anatomy of reconciliation' Jan. 30-Feb. 1

Commentaries

From the Bishop: Daddy, Why can't I go to Fun Town?

Reflection: Riding a bumpy camel

X-ercizing: Advent Lessons

Meeting God in Pascagoula, Mississippi

Diocesan Calendar

Past Issues

X-ercizing: Advent Lessons

By Steve Gosser Walton

I stood out on my porch listening to the church bells ring in Christmas. It was the first time, in what seemed months, since I had stood quiet and relaxed. No schedule, no planning, no cleaning, no packing nor unpacking, no preparations. Just simply being.

“It is Christmas! The Lord has come!”

Advent had gotten over-shadowed by pre-wedding activities. I felt like I never got time to prepare for Christ’s arrival, I was too busy preparing for “the other big day.” Each day and night in December was filled with an activity or chore or errand. I had kept my promise to not let Christmas get in the way of Advent; but now the wedding was getting in the way of Advent instead.

But, as is Christ’s way, He comes if we are prepared or not. He comes if we believe it or not.

The Collect for the 1st Sunday after Christmas says, “Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word; Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives.”

Even though I was making no effort to prepare for Christ’s coming (I even forgot to eat my chocolate treats hidden in my Advent calendar) nevertheless, I believe God was preparing me in ways that I would only see over time.

This December had me attending three weddings (including one of my own). Through the course of three ceremonies and two rehearsals (and pre-marital classes) I feel I heard and understood the wedding service more, and therefore saw and understood God a bit better. I understood Christ’s relationship with His church in a new, richer way.

Many of our friends and family took part in our wedding and also in the planning and preparations. It felt like it took a village to orchestrate the wedding reception. In that cooperation and collaboration, in the kindness shown by others, in others’ thoughtfulness – I felt the brightness of God. They went above and beyond the call of duty; they went beyond what most people would do. They gave us their time, talent, energy, and most of all — unconditional love.

Our friends and family showed me, by example, what unconditional love is. Unconditional love that I do not deserve; yet they shine on me without fail.

I think when we are at our best, we are shining forth light and that light is reflective of the light that is Christ. I try my hardest but I don’t always feel I do a great job of sparkling as much as Christ fully intends for me to do. Maybe I do it and don’t know it.

When Jessica and I were on our honeymoon we ran into two people who glittered with such light.

I was taking a picture of Jessica standing by a baby palm tree and a man stopped his car and asked if we would like for him to take a picture of the two of us. I never really noticed his face as he took several photos (one by the baby palm and two by a palm-lined pond) of us. I only noticed his smile; it was that of an old friend. The next day I saw that same smile on the beach and when I turned to say “hello,” he introduced us to his wife as “the cute newlywed couple I told you about.” They wished us all the happiness they have had and a long marriage (they were celebrating their 53rd anniversary).

Several days later we met another very nice man while at dinner. We had a great conversation with him. When Jessica left the table for a minute he told me to always remember these early days of our marriage, and to never forget to enjoy each other later as much as we did now. We ran into him on our last morning in Hilton Head on the beach. He walked over with his coffee in hand to see how we had enjoyed our visit. As he walked away he reminded me, “Never forget to have fun together.”

Family, friends, and even strangers shine light on us all the time. God, through Christ, shines light on us all the time. “Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives.”
Steve may be reached at xersizing@yahoo.com

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