December 2023

Dear Friends of First,

Advent begins in just a few weeks. Our theme this year is “How does a weary world rejoice?” A weary world rejoices, comes from a familiar Christmas hymn, “O Holy Night.” The song was originally written by a French poet who was actually an atheist, and the music was supplied by a Jewish composer. The hymn was later translated into English by an American Unitarian minister. In the 1800s, it became a popular hymn for Christian due to its justice-focused language. Even as I think of Mary’s song, the hymn reminds us that justice and joy belong together. Sometimes our joy is an act of resistance. To be weary is to feel or to show tiredness, specially as a result of excessive exertion or lack of sleep. “Excessive exertion” is often not so much physical exertion, but even more so the mental and emotional exertion so many are dealing with on a day-to-day basis.

You are living in the same world that I am, so you see and read the same headlines: War. Increase in hunger and food insecurity. Mental health issues on the rise. Continued increase in gun violence. And those are just the national/global headlines. There is also family conflict, health scares and diagnoses and so on...Perhaps you’re like me, and find yourself wondering from time to time: How does a weary world rejoice?

Jesus was born into a weary world. King Herod ruled the land with a legacy of ruthlessness. The Romans treated the people of Israel with contempt, imposing harsh taxes and land seizures that forced many into subsistence farming. Poverty and destitution were pervasive. And yet, Christ was born, bringing good news of great joy for all people. This year the season of Advent begins on Sunday, December 3rd, 2023.

This Advent, we will hold space for our weariness and our joy. We will seek a “thrill of hope” in our hurting world. We will welcome joy—even and especially if, like the prophet Isaiah, we cry out for comfort (Isaiah 40:1). In this weary world, may we find many ways to rejoice.

Peace be upon you,
Pastor Jim