Dear Church Family,
For many of us, the weeks leading up to Christmas are a happy time. Despite the hectic pace, we love seeing the colorful Christmas lights.  We enjoy buying gifts for loved ones.  We look forward to non-stop holiday music on the car radio.  We get a tear in our eye as we watch the Hallmark specials, where at Christmas it somehow all seems to work out in a heartwarming finale.  We anticipate with joy gathering around the table with family for a Christmas feast. 
But for others of us, this can be a difficult time.  For those who have lost a loved one and are going through the holidays alone, or those experiencing economic difficulties,  or are in the midst of a family rift, or are going through a major life change,  the merriment of others can make their sadness even more palpable. Some churches acknowledge this by  holding “Blue Christmas” services,  which seek to express the grief or loneliness some people may be feeling and try to offer spiritual hope and peace. 
A number of people within our church family have experienced loss of various kinds in the last year and we would do well to be sensitive to the variety of emotions people may be feeling in this season, even as we continue to hold the promise of “Emmanuel—God with us” before us. 
The second Sunday in Advent always brings us to an encounter with the prickly John the Baptist.  Our texts are Isaiah 2:3-4 and Matthew 3:1-12.  The sermon is “Real Choices.” Dick and Donna Heinz will be lighting the 2nd candle on the Advent wreath.  
There will be an all church gathering immediately following the service, with an opportunity to hear from the three boards and ask any questions.  This will be Ed and Suzan Kircher’s last service with us before they move to Arizona. Sad as we are to see them leave, and much as we will miss them, we will want to offer our farewells and wish them Godspeed. 
See you in church.
Rich