My husband and I are still finding scraps of wrapping paper under furniture and around the corners of the family room, evidence of some very exuberant gift opening on Christmas morning. Today, as the kids in the neighborhood are trying out new bikes, skateboards and other newly given wheeled contraptions, there is an unexpected and welcomed sense of stillness.

While for kids – and many adults – the anticipation during the weeks leading up to Christmas is palpable, the anticipation of the New Year is more subtle. There is a pause that allows us to reflect back upon the Advent season and the celebration of God’s pure love by sending His son Jesus to earth; and there is space that begs consideration of what’s ahead.

One of my favorite things about my role at Mariners Church Mission Viejo is working with the amazing volunteers who serve generously and faithfully to bring Sunday and holiday worship services to our community.  During this time between Christmas and the coming of the New Year, I am thankful for and inspired by the servant hearts of all of our volunteers. I find myself with a moment to look ahead with anticipation to the year ahead and trying hard to not to fill this space, but instead give it over to God.

I came across a quote recently from Dag Hammarskjöld, a Swedish diplomat and Nobel Peace Prize recipient. He said, “For all that has been, thank you. For all that is to come, yes!”

Wherever you find yourself in this interim season, I encourage you to embrace the space.

Our family and student ministries teams have prepared an at-home tool kit of activities, recipes and readings to do with whomever you find yourself among as this year winds down. You can download it here.

Our first Sunday gathering of the Near Year will be Sunday, January 8, and we will be launching into 2017 by celebrating together! Bring your neighbors, invite your friends and join us for service and a hosted breakfast following services at 9a, 11a and 5p as we step in to what God is calling us towards in the year ahead.

See you then,

Erin Stone
Worship Experience Coordinator

By now (especially, if you have kids), a search expedition to locate whatever gifts you’ve tucked away in the secret drawers and hidden closets is being contemplated by their eager eyes and curious minds. As we age, our role reverses from seeking hidden good things to hiding good things. We want the “reveal” to be something truly special. So, we work hard to outsmart the would-be searchers. Then, at Christmas, we’ll get out our cameras and record whatever moment we had hoped to see unfolding before us as gifts and gift-givers celebrate.

In most cases, the one receiving gifts knows at least vaguely what they’re looking for, they just don’t know where to find it.

This is essentially the story of people in the world. We can assume, with a fair degree of confidence, that most people are searching for the same things. Nearly everyone can point to the necessity of meaningful connections with others, the value in making some kind of contribution in the world, seeking change, and identifying personal value. What separates people is how those things are discovered.

For those who made their way to the manger at Christmas, they seemed to understand that the one thing they were looking for was hidden in a place and wrapped in a package that was far different than anyone had imagined it would be. But they knew upon seeing Jesus,  they had found that thing they had hoped to find — what their souls were seeking. While there wasn’t a new YouTube worthy kid-freaking-out-over-cool-present-reaction, the shepherds, the wise men, Mary, and Joseph celebrated that in some way this baby was the gift for which the world was longing.

Who are those people in your life who are actively, albeit haphazardly or even irresponsibly, searching for their soul’s deepest longing in places that cannot provide what their hearts truly require? Perhaps, this is the year you invite them to join you at Christmas. Consider that the greater offense is always in the not-asking someone to join you than in the asking. People want to be wanted — to be included and invited —  even if they can’t make it.

Merry Christmas,

Jeff