First
Presbyterian Church of Inglewood
100 North Hillcrest Ave
Inglewood, California 90301
Telephone numbers: (310) 677-5133 (323) 678-0268
Fax
(310) 330-8342 Electronic mail: presbyts@aol.com
Christmas joy…and Christmas pain
Traditionally, the third Sunday in Advent has been associated with joy.
Certainly joy is one appropriate emotion to be connected with the coming of Christ into our world. And, of course, joy must not be confused with happiness – the two can be the same, but they need not be. For many, joy runs much deeper, carrying a sense of contentment, inner peace, serenity, security, and faith.
Yet, the commercial world has put so great an emphasis on the implication that one must feel joyful in this season that those who experience other emotions often feel guilty about it, or at least feel that they must be unique in their feelings. Churches can provide a great service to the community by emphasizing that a wide variety of emotions are not only appropriate in these Advent
and Christmas seasons, but are in fact necessary, and healthy, and to be welcomed and embraced.
Reach out in ways to embrace those who may be feeling many things other than joy at this time. Be especially sensitive to those who may be experiencing their first Christmas without a loved one – either through death, or simply because someone has moved away, or is unable to be home at this time.
Seasons of the Spirit
