Message from the Pastor

Grace and Peace be to you from Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

I guess I'd have to admit that, I am a bit excited about our synodical bishop visiting Mount Zion Church! I think it is exciting for I think our parish is a well kept secret in our community, church and world. No, we are not big like some Lutheran parishes in York, so we do not get the newspaper coverage or the calls for input about issues of the community and world. We are not a controversial congregation which focuses on issues that we feel are so important that it defines us. We are not a contemporary church with multi-media, praise bands and best-selling authors as our pastors. Mount Zion is a faithful congregation; quietly doing what God has called us to do. So, every now and then I feel Mount Zion should be recognized for its hard work and I am sure Bishop Hoover will see this.

Why do we get so excited? I think for the most part, the planning is a part of the actual event or activity. In essence, if we are not a part of the full fruition of the activity, we do not understand the gravity, magnitude, and the affect it truly has on our souls. In such a society, like ours that thrives from instant gratification, it is difficult for us, as people of God, to truly understand the importance of Christmas without the season of Advent. Advent prepares us to see why our Savior is placed here on this earth and why we plan for His birth and return. People have expressed their dismay that we do not, as a church, decorate for Christmas as early as others. I believe it is important to force ourselves in the propess and focus on Advent to understand the validity of Christmas -- that the birth, life, death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, is not an overly saturated commercial by-product in our society.

When we get so wrapped up into making the Christmas celebration appear before it happens in due time, we lose the perception on why we celebrate. Thus, we do not understand why some of us are moved to tears that a lowly babe born in a stable later becomes an adult who dies on the cross in order for us to have everlasting life. We quickly become "grinches", believing this time is only a time to spend money, hoping we get the "correct" gifts for family, friends and loved ones. For some of us, this can be a time of depression as we long for loved ones who have gone before us, or who. feel alone as we view others living in the joy and excitement this time of the year can bring.

The season of Advent can assist us in seeing the value in Christ; reminding us of the love and the promise of life everlasting. To prepare can mean the expectation that we will be with the whole church triumphant soon, that because of Jesus, God is there to console us and remind us of love as we reach out to all people, realizing we are never alone. The observance of Advent can truly help us see, from start to finish, the love of God.

I invite us all to come and worship this Advent season. Bring friends and through the help of the Holy Spirit, we may, some for the first time, experience the importance of the Christ Child.