A Word From the Pastor (December 2008)

Dear Friends in Christ,

I ask you to ponder for a moment this familiar Advent scripture.

In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
Matthew 3:1-2 (RSV)

In this busy season it seems that much is at hand. For musicians, Christmas concerts approach. For children, Santa Claus and treasures under the tree seem but a moment away. For parents, the craziest shopping season of the year is here. Many a home is preparing for the coming of special holiday guests. Many things seem close at hand, but what about kingdom of heaven?

A number of years ago, I had the pleasure of sharing in a bible study at a nursing home in Goshen, NY. The subject of the day was the kingdom of heaven, one of great interest to the gathering of elderly women who were present. Their talk was full of laughter and giggles. Their eyes beamed with expectation as they imagined what the kingdom of heaven would be like. I was deeply touched by the joy with which they pondered the promise of heaven. For these women in the twilight of life, the kingdom of heaven was indeed at hand. They knew that they would soon be with their Lord, and it made them glad.

The message of Advent is that the kingdom of heaven is near, not only for those in the last days of this earthly life, but for all of us. Christ came to live among us, to bring God near. Christ died and rose that we might share eternal life with him, that we might have a place in God's everlasting realm. Christ will come again to initiate a new heaven and a new earth, God's eternal kingdom of justice and peace. In this season of Advent we await and celebrate the amazing kingdom that Christ comes to bring.

The kingdom, however, is not just some far-off hope. The Spirit abides with us even now, bringing the kingdom near. In this season of Advent, I invite you to keep alert for signs of the realm of heaven. Witness the kingdom in gestures of love, in words of truth, in children's smiles, in the hopes of the aged, in acts of unexpected or extravagant generosity, in songs of joy, in works of justice, in offerings of forgiveness and tokens of reconciliation, in the light of Christmas candles that invite us to ponder the light of Christ, in warm hugs from strangers and friends alike, in rare and routine expressions of kindness. Yes, the kingdom of heaven is at hand. The kingdom of heaven is near. We can observe it every day if we have eyes to see. We can experience it all around us if our hearts are open.

In this Advent season, as we hear again the story of Christ's coming, of Jesus Christ bringing the kingdom near, may you and I recognize the kingdom already present, already here. May our hearts be filled with hope and laughter, may our eyes glow with delight, as we ponder the kingdom of heaven in our midst. In this holy season, may you and I discover the secret that lifted the hearts of those elderly women in that long-ago bible study. May we embrace the good news that the kingdom of heaven is the greatest treasure of all.

God bless you in Advent and always,
Rev. Peggy Ann Sauerhoff