Central Family,

I love this time of year – not because it is so busy but because it is so significant!

THANKSGIVING and ADVENT are two traditions that are at the very heart of being centered in Christ.

THANKSGIVING – On Wednesday night at 7:00pm many of us will gather at St. Andrews for the Community wide Thanksgiving Eve service. And many of you will be at Central on Thanksgiving Day to serve the Community wide thanksgiving meal. Paul wrote in the church in Philippi; “In everything, with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6)

“IN EVERYTHING…” I am so thankful that God’s life with us in Jesus touches everything! You cannot go anywhere that God hasn’t already been there. We confess that Jesus is seated at the right hand of God – this is not so much a reference to a particular place that Jesus is seated at but it is a reference to his position of prominence. Jesus is present in all places and at all times – so Jesus touches everything! The computer in the office, the TV in the family room, the coffee pot, the car, the iPod, the cell phone, the azalea bush, the neighbor, and even the pillow and my tired head upon it. God is obsessed with every detail in our lives. God cares about everything!

“with THANKSGIVING…” In the Old Testament times there was no word in Hebrew for “thanks”, or at least not in the way we use it. For us it is good manners to say “thank you.” But the Hebrew word used for “thanks” to God, todah, is not just a word. Worshippers said todah, but the todah was also a sacrifice, something tangible, your best ram, a turtledove, the first ripened wheat, etc.. Gratitude was something of value. It cost you something – which is precisely why it was valued so highly by God. In the midst of these difficult days of economic uncertainty many are afraid of losing “stuff.” The biblical concept of gratitude implies that we don’t lose our stuff but we willingly, joyfully, and gratefully give our ‘stuff’ to the Lord.

And I think Mary understood this so we move to Advent….

ADVENT – This Sunday we begin the Advent season. During Advent we wait, prepare, anticipate and pray, Come! Our overall Advent theme this year is REDEEMING THE SEASON. What does that mean for you? What could that look like for you? How can we, the body of Christ at Central, redeem the season?

The scripture lesson for the first Sunday in Advent is Luke 1:26-38 and the focus is ‘THE SECRET OF THE SEASON.” What is the secret of the season on the First Sunday of Advent? The angel Gabriel appears to Mary and announces. “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you! But she was perplexed….and the Angel said, Do not be afraid….” You need to read the story but consider Mary’s predicament. All her plans and expectations are shattered. Life was going to take on a whole new twist. And how does Mary respond?

In her response we discover the secret of the season. “Here I am the slave of the Lord.” Mary offered up herself, all of her, to God’s mysterious will and way. I can think of no better way to celebrate THANKSGIVING and begin ADVENT than to join Mary and say to God, “Here I am…..”

Have a great thanksgiving and I hope to see you on Sunday as begin the Advent journey!

Paul Johansson
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