Page 5 - Seasons Magazine Advent 2020

letter from the editor
I've been excited to do a holiday version of Seasons Magazine ever since we did the first edition back in Spring of this year! Until I started putting it together, I didn't realize how much I not only wanted to do this edition, but how much I needed it as well.
There have been many things about 2020 that have changed the shape of my heart. The way COVID-19 has affected the holiday season is one of those things. I'm sad. I miss a lot of people. I'm disappointed that we didn't get to carol together after eating way too many cookies. I'm not going to be able to enjoy my favorite smell of hundreds of candles blown out after we sing Silent Night together on Christmas Eve.
At the same time, I'm joyful. I've been blown away by how God has been present and spoken to me in my newly shrunken life and ever-widening perspective on the world. I'm overwhelmed with gratitude for you, my church family, with whom I've still been able to worship, pray, and stand in our hope and mission. The list of difficult and good things could really go on and on.
The fact is this: JESUS was born. He is Emmanuel, God with us. God with you. God with me. He chose us and continues to choose us daily by transforming us into more of his likeness. God isn't finished with us, as individuals and as a church. I pray that you are able to see how God can bring you joy and make use of your sadness by shaping your heart with his loving and gentle hands.
It has been such a blessing and encouragement to receive all the wonderful submissions for this edition of Seasons Magazine. I have been ministered to greatly, and for that I want to thank everyone that contributed! As you flip through these pages, I know you will sense wonder and joy. I hope that you feel a bit closer to our church family as we get nearer and nearer to Christmas Day.
Merry Christmas,
notluC annA