On The Table

So you say your neighbor already has their decorations put away and their tree waiting at the curb? Which has you feeling a bit behind? Well, friend, read on to discover why you are actually holier and more righteous than them!

After the darkening days of Advent and all of that waiting for the light, we have now entered into the season of Christmas (yes, it is a season which technically begins on December 25 and lasts for two weeks). So our good friend Liz is inviting us to come to Jammin' Java this Sunday at 10am to share our joy. Like, literally, and by bringing artifacts-- songs, videos, pieces of art, objects, projects, photographs, caged animals or small children-- which literally bring us joy. In fact, if your contribution is in some kind of digital format, it'd be wonderful if you could email those files to us at CTChristmasJoy@gmail.com so we can get organized a bit. Or if you can't join us in person, you could at least share your joy virtually and remotely.

Also, please note that kids over 3 years of age should bring (or email!) their contributions, too. The 'big kids' will be joining us in church, and I'm sure their joy will be especially infectious.

And if you'd like to prime the pump a bit, please join our 9:30 Club on or about 9:30am for an informal time of singing and music.

Merry Christmas,
Mike Stavlund

As I write, our first significant snow fall here in the NOVA area is floating down, coating the drab colors of winter in a beautiful white blanket. Of course this peaceful scene often wreaks havoc with people's work schedules with commutes interrupted, shortened school days, and snow to be shoveled (never mind the bitter cold). Whatever your reaction - whether it is of glee or of scorn - the snow still falls and our lives are interrupted once again.

We continue to wait, in this season of advent, for Christmas day to arrive, celebrating the birth of Christ into our world, interrupting the cycle of sin and death and destruction and bringing hope, joy, peace and redemption.

Come, Lord Jesus.

In the meantime, we look for ways to reach out to others and pass on that hope and love and joy and peace that is to characterize our walks of life. This week, we won't be gathering at Jammin' Java; rather, on Saturday, December 18th, we will be helping run the Hospitality Room from 10:30 - 1 pm for Reston Interfaith, as 800 families come and collect gifts for their children. While they wait, we will guide them in some Christmas craft making, share treats with them, and love on them as they wait for their gifts. Email the Kid's Team (CTkids@googlegroups.com) if you would like more details!

On Sunday, December 19th, we will gather together from 4 - 8 pm to enjoy our long standing tradition of our church Christmas party at the Fairfax Station Railroad Museum. Don't forget to sign up to bring some treats as we enjoy good-natured competition in our Chili cook off, gingerbread house decorating, and Christmas karaoke.

The following week, we will not be gathering at Jammin' Java, but will take time to be with families and friends. Maybe you will want to check out some of the beautiful Christmas eve or Christmas services at other churches in the area.

May you find ways in your plain old every day lives to be peace, hope, and love to others as we wait for our world to be redeemed and as we long to take part in that redemption together.

Jackie

At this time of year, darkness is all around. Most of us wake up in the dark, commute in the dark, and eat most of our meals before the sun comes up or after it's down. If the short days and smudgy skies weren't enough, the cold bite to the air serves as a constant reminder that the world is dormant and waiting for light and warmth to return.

And as liturgical creatures, we recognize how all of this ties into our annual Advent journey. This is a time when we reflect on all of the promises of deliverance that God has made, and as we wait for these promises to be fulfilled. We wait for the darkness in our world to be fully vanquished, and for the sadness all around us-- and in us!-- to be transformed into something brighter.

This Sunday at 10am at Jammin' Java, we'll gather to consider these themes of darkness and the ways in which our Lectionary readings provide some light and some joy. Then afterward, we'll enjoin our regular Eucharistic celebration across the way at Chipotle. A meal which will presumably occur in the daylight and surrounded with the joyful cheer of good friends. We hope to see you at one or both of these ceremonies.

Next week we won't be meeting at Java, but instead will be joining up with Reston Interfaith on Saturday to enjoy another Advent tradition of providing crafts and assistance as kids are invited to choose Christmas gifts for their family members and wrap them up. It's a small way to bring a little light to this dark old world. We hope you can join us. Stay tuned for more details. And don't forget to sign up for the annual Common Table Christmas Party next Sunday evening (the 18th, from 4-8, at the Fairfax Station Railroad Museum)!

Waiting with you,
Mike Stavlund