because it's never too early for christmas advent


here's a sneak peek into what you'll be getting when the 2010 humc advent devotionals are handed out come, you know, advent. don't you worry, though. i know for a fact the others will be way better than this one.

forgive the capitalization.

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Maybe one day soon

It will all come out
How you dream about each other sometimes
With the memory of
How you once gave up
But you made it through the troubled times -Fountains of Wayne

Living in and on our own “private Idaho” on the corner of Huffman and Gene Reed Roads, it’s easy to feel like HUMC is the only community of faith that has ever suffered or will ever suffer from the emotional and sophomore-ish ups and downs of life.

Surely, other congregations have mastered the calculus of interpersonal relationships while we’ve just discovered that we are behind the curve. “He said, she said” doesn’t exist at “the church across the street”. Otherwise, they would have empty spaces in their parking lot, too. The “University of Jesus” down the road never questions their leaders. They have their ducks in a row, and, therefore, have the capacity to build new buildings that will serve even more members of their community in new and fantastic and interactive ways. “That church that my friend goes to now” hugs and kisses each other all the time. Then, they go and hug homeless people and feed them and, then, they hold hands and sing “Kumbayah” and always go home happy. Right? Right?

Well, of course, none of the above three hypotheticals are totally accurate, but it’s easy to feel that way at Huffman United Methodist Church. The comforting thought is that Huffman United Methodist Church is no different from “the church across the street”, “the University of Jesus” or “that church that my friend goes to now”. If we don’t intentionally and often remember the connectedness that is a life lived in union with The Divine Spark, it’s easy to feel isolated and alone and discouraged, no matter where you hang your hat on Sunday morning.

If Advent means anything to me, it means a fresh and renewed understanding that I am not alone. It means that it is time again to renew the effort “to put on a new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness”. If not for myself, I effort for my family and my church family and those that I call “brother” and “sister” in Christ.

Feeling alone is a very human and flawed emotion. In Advent, in Christ, it is never “us vs. them” but a global connection that helps us work for a Greater Good.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:20-25

to be published in the upcoming humc advent devotional booklet
(please forgive all the annoying capital letters)


Accepting the Special-ness of Advent.

Scripture: (from the Message) 1 Peter: 13-16 "So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that's coming when Jesus arrives. Don't lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn't know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God's life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, "I am holy; you be holy."

Truth be told, Advent is just like every other part of the year…except that it’s not.

Each January, we promise and pledge to carry the “Christmas spirit” with us throughout the New Year. It sounds exhilarating. It sounds easy. We just celebrated the birth of our Savior. We just opened many wonderful gifts. We just spent invaluable time with our family. “Everyday will be Christmas!”, we proclaim. So, we power through another list of self-improvements with every genuine intention to make “this year” better than the last.

And then something funny happens.

Mid-January comes and we stumble over or out of our first resolution. February comes and we realize that work is no more a happy place than it ever was. We should be happy that we have a job, but we are not. March comes and we’ve already started to fast-forward our time and our lives in the hopes of that one or two weeks of summer vacation when we can get away from this world that we were so ready and willing to attack just three short months ago. The vacation isn’t as great as we wanted. It rained at the beach. We come home, and life hits in the face again. A friend or family member is sick. A loved one passes. “Why am I yelling at my children all the time?”

Truth be told, Advent is nothing like every other part of the year. As Christians, we need Advent like the bunny needs his battery. It is a season to recharge. It is the feeling of renewal. It is the promise of hope in a life made in relationship with Jesus Christ. It is special.

And that’s OK.