The Pastor's Perspective

          The Christmas season can often feel a bit too stressful. It can become a period of intense planning and busyness. We create detailed strategies for baking, decorating, gift-buying, and attending events. Then there are the school events, and plays that we have to attend. Make time to go down and see the city lights. Make time to watch all those Christmas movies you have watched a 1,000 times before. We pour time and energy into ensuring everything goes according to our vision.      But what happens when our plans fall apart? Maybe a tradition has to change, or a loved one is missing due to sickness or death. The stress of finding the right gift or the pressure of finances can lead to frustration and sadness. While Christmas is a joyous occasion for many, for others, it can be down right depressing.      It’s easy in these moments—when our perfect vision is interrupted—to feel frustrated, saddened, or even feel like we ...

    I once read a story about a young professional who, rushing between appointments, barely had time to eat. She quickly microwaved a frozen meal and was out the door. Sliding into her car, she went to start the ignition only to realize her keys were missing. Frantically, she searched her bag, coat, and pockets. Minutes turned into an anxious blur until a flash of memory brought her to a strange place: the freezer. Low and behold, there they were, nestled right between the ice cream and the frozen vegetables.      We can all relate to that moment—that sudden, chilling realization that we have completely misplaced something vital. Whether it’s car keys, important documents, or a wedding ring, we’ve all been guilty of letting our minds wander and misplacing what is valuable.      But, let me ask you; can you imagine losing the Messiah ?      The Bible tells the account of Mary and Joseph losing Jesus on the journey home from J...

The first Thanksgiving The year is 1621in America . The air is cold and the land is still unfamiliar. For the colonists , their first year in the new world had been marked by incredible hardships. They were survivors who had endured the trials and struggles of establishing a settlement. Yet, with the autumn harvest complete, they had achieved their first success—a successful corn harvest.      This was a victory that called for a celebration. So, to express their thanks and honor their Native American allies who helped them in this new land, they planned a great feast. They invited the Native Americans to celebrate with them. The joyous, three-day event was filled with games, signs of affection, and abundant feasting on venison, fowl, and corn.      It was an act of sharing—a profoundly generous gesture that Governor William Bradford noted in his journal. For him, the abundant harvest was a gift from a loving God who had not only protected them from the d...