The last line of Christina Rossetti’s 1872 Christmas poem, In the Bleak Midwinter, reads “What can I give Him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd I would bring a lamb; if I were a wise man I would do my part, yet what I can I give Him, give my heart.” As we step toward the Advent season, we prepare for the greatest gift God gave to us: his Son, our Savior. Because he gave us such a precious gift we, in turn, are compelled to freely give. In the last stanza of this beautiful poem (and hymn – ELW 294) we are given a glimpse into what we can share with the world for the sake of Him who gave himself for us and others.
This theme of gift-giving will play itself out in our mid-week worship services and ministry. Because we already give to the Giving Tree and North Thurston County Food Bank, we will raise up these opportunities for giving, but also a few others. Make sure your calendars are marked because the first Sunday in Advent is November 27 and our first mid-week service and meal is November 30.
On December 4, between worship services, we’ll continue our tradition of an Advent fair when we will, among other activities, raise up different ‘alternative gift-giving’ options, i.e. Gifts of Hope, ELCA Malaria Project, and many more. Then we’ll use Holden Evening Prayer and other scripture and music for the first three weeks of Advent, changing it up on the fourth mid-week when we will have a meal then go out into our community after dinner for some Christmas caroling. Watch for more details as the weeks of November fly into the season of Advent.