December 23, 2021

Our Advent series, Close to Home, continues as we learn what it is to seek sanctuary and to offer sanctuary and we hear God’s invitation to come and be home.

When you feel the world pressing in upon you, where do you go? To whom do you turn or return? Where do you find sanctuary?

Mary has received the best news. But it is also news that turns her world upside down. She is bold and trusting enough to set out and find what she needs – a place and a  people who will welcome her with open arms and without judgment, keep her safe, seek to understand, rejoice with her, and let her drop her guard. 

Elizabeth welcomes Mary with open arms and deep love. She rejoices alongside Mary, and Mary cannot help but burst forth into song responding to the good things God is doing through her and her soon-to-be-born son as if they are already a done deal.

Where are you able to process what God is up to in your life? 
I hope that this Christmas season you can return to that place or those people, hearing again the good news of God-with-us, and responding as this good news turns the world upside down.

May you know in your innermost being that you are always invited to God’s home because God loves you enough to come and make God’s home with you.

I want you to know that you are invited to hear the good news of Christmas once again with Spirit in the Hills Christmas Eve at 4pm outdoors and 6pm indoors and online. 

Like our benediction has been saying to us throughout this series:
“Remember that here in God’s house, all are welcomed – so come back soon.”

Whether you are making your home among us at Spirit in the Hills this year, or finding home and sanctuary elsewhere, Christ who is God-with-us, Emmanuel, comes to make his home in our midst once again so let’s make some room. Christ, whose body we are part of, is a home for all – so let’s help everyone have a home.

Grace & Peace,
Pastor Drew