I am admittedly a Christian music junkie. I’ve been ready to play Christian Christmas CD’s in my car since mid-October. One of my favorites that I belt out unabashedly off-key while driving (alone) is “Let There Be Light” from Point of Grace. If you’re the least bit computer-savvy, you can Google this and enjoy a YouTube version.

Here is what I think is the most pointed refrain:

“We who are His have this calling
To praise Him and make His name known
So one day the presence of Jesus
Shines in every heart and every home”

How do we “make his name known” in this time of pandemic/quarantine/isolation?

Invite someone, whether via phone call or text or snail mail, to join you in worship, in person if you are able/feel comfortable or via the livestream. Host a facebook watch party or share the church website with friends and family, even if they live afar. Many of our faith family do not have computer access; one savvy church member has shared on-line worship with a friend in assisted living via their phones on speaker mode.

In assembling these Advent kits, tools have been provided for everyone to celebrate the anticipation of Christ’s birth from their home. Mail out the Christmas greeting card that was included in the Advent kit to a neighbor or friend to whom you wouldn’t normally send a card. Contact the church office if you can think of someone who might not have received an Advent kit. Pray fervently for and enjoy the ideas/issues suggested in the Advent daily activity “grab bag”. Create your own Advent wreath and “light” a candle each Sunday of Advent.

My prayer for this Advent season is that the presence of Jesus shines in every heart and every home.

Melinda Scierra