As we light four candles on the advent wreath…………

November 25, 2024

Grace and peace to you from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,

As we approach the holiday season, I am excited to share with you this letter of Thanksgiving, Advent, Christmas, and New Year’s Celebration.

During the coming weeks, we will gather with loved ones, and be in contact with family, friends, and acquaintances that we have not seen or heard from in a while. This time stirs up many emotions as we reflect on those loved ones who are no longer with us and have passed on to eternal glory in the Kingdom of God.

We gather as a community of faith counting down the weeks as we light four candles on our Advent wreath symbolizing Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love; preparing ourselves, repenting and seeking new life, a new beginning in real time waiting and watching as each candle melts away at different times for the coming of our savior. The time is drawing near as we await the unexpected hour, Silent Night! Holy Night! all is calm, all is bright ‘round yon virgin mother and child! O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.

As we look at the wreath and see the candles lit, we await that unexpected hour when our savior will come. Are you ready for the coming of our Lord? Are you ready to rejoice? Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O chosen people. Are you ready to Go tell it on the Mountain? Are you ready to hear the Angels on High Echoing their Joyous Strains? The arrival of our savior will make a profound impact and bring Joy to the World.

You will receive a gift from God this holiday season that will bring you much joy. You will receive a gift from God that will give you unconditional love. You will receive a gift from God that will walk with you and talk to you, will lead you and guide you, will uplift and inspire you, will provide for you comfort and care, and will protect and preserve you. You will receive a gift from God that will make you discern how the greatest gift on earth has no monetary value to it but lives – has a heart that beats, lays in a manger, is wrapped in swaddling clothes, and will reign in our hearts as we welcome him with open arms.

This holiday season, I humbly ask you to think about what it means to walk with Jesus. I ask you to discern what it means to be part of the body of Christ, what it means to follow Jesus’ preaching and teachings, and how Jesus’ words and actions will lead you into the New Year.

We at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church are one body of Christ. We are a family made up of many individuals from different walks of life. We gather for worship and fellowship enjoying one another’s company – we celebrate, grieve, laugh, and cry together. We sing, read, pray, and eat together. We at times may have disagreements and by the power of the Holy Spirit embrace one another sharing the sign of peace to resolve our differences. We all have our concerns in our own lives and by the grace of God, we gather together realizing that we are not alone for we have each other in the name of Jesus.

Let us enjoy this holiday season with our loved ones, those who are our blood, and those whom God has called to join in the body of Christ. Let us make memories together celebrating the life given to us as we give thanks to God for the most precious gift given to us as we follow in his footsteps. Oh, what a wonderful child – so lowly meek, and mild. New life, new hope, new joys he brings as we give all glory, honor, and praise to the son of Mary our King of Kings and Lord of Lords whose name is Jesus.

May you have a glorious holiday season. May you enjoy your time together with your family and may the Holy Spirit call you to gather All, Ye Faithful with your church family so that you may be enriched, inspired, and empowered to share with all the gift of love given for you to share with all in the name of Jesus who has, is and forever will be our first and only Noel.

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Jonathan J. Recabarren