Dear Family and Friends of First UMC of Torrance
The Season of Advent challenges us to fulfill John the Baptist’s exhortation: “Prepare the way of the Lord” (Mark 1:3). Advent is the season of preparation with anticipation. In this season, I would like to invite you to “Christmasize” your life. Dr. Leonard Sweet once said, “To Christmasize your life means to pay attention to the small voice, the small growth, the small crack, the small table, the small talk, the small town (like Bethlehem), the small change, the small children.” How can we Christmasize our lives? The three wise men give us a hint about Christmasizing our lives. They came to the small town to worship and meet the newborn Christ and, “They offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” (Matthew 2: 11b)
First, myrrh is bitter, a symbol for our sweat and labor, commitment and service. As Christmas comes near, we are to remember those who are less fortunate. In this special season, light the world by “bringing your gifts of myrrh” through living out what you believe. Renew your faith with your service and Christmasize your life with myrrh!
Secondly, to Christmasize our life is to bring the gift of frankincense, a symbol of praising God through our worship services, humbly thanking him for the priceless gift of Jesus Christ.
Finally, gold is a symbol of all things precious. What is the most precious thing for you? Will you bring it to the Lord as you Christmasize your life?
We all are blessed by the Light, astonished by the Love, shocked by the Grace, awed by the Mercy, and enriched by the Joy of God. In this season of Advent and Christmas, may the knowledge that the light of God in Christ is stronger than darkness; renew your heart and give you joy.
In God’s peace and light,
Pastor Jacob