If you've ever climbed a mountain, you know the excitement of seeing the summit within grasp after a long trek. And, you likely know the great disappointment in realizing that what you see is not the summit, but a false summit. There is still more to come. In that moment, I usually have to steel myself and prepare for more by actually doing less. Typically, I pause, drink some water, have another energy bar, maybe put on another layer for the final push. I need to stop before I can keep going.

This Sunday, the crowd who has been following John the Baptist think they see the summit in his witness; he quickly sets them right and says, "One who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals." The life of faith is like this. We are ready to substitute a false summit for the real deal. Scripture tells us, from the ancient stories of the Hebrews to the more recent writings of early Christians, we humans are given to substitute nearly anything for the one thing that truly brings life. We are ready to make God into an idol and idols into our gods. A sure way to know the difference is that God doesn't seek to control you, idols almost always do. God is the God of liberation and love—this is what the scriptures tell us. God frees us into a new way of being in this world that is defined by self-gift, embrace, freeing obedience, and immovable dignity.

This Advent season is often defined by preparation for what is to come—looking towards the joy of Christmas. And yet, the great paradox of faith is that everything you long for and desire is already yours for the receiving. There is no promise from God that you can earn or acheive, no perfection or purity that will finally pull down the lever of a slot-machine god to dispense innumerable benefits. You are worthy, now. You are beloved, now. You are forgiven, now. You are cherished, now. It might frustrate or even anger the hearts of some to hear what is utter good news: there is no false summit to God's love. In fact, we followers of Jesus go even further: we say the hike up was done for us because God has come down. When we see this, we have begun to see the Christmas promise.

See you on Sunday,
Nick

This Sunday at 10:00 am, join our Director of Music Craig Benner as we explore the hymns of the Advent season and sing our faith together. It promises to be a wonderful and enriching time together.

Our Christmas Pageant rehearsals continue this Sunday at 11:15 am in our sanctuary. We invite all children to be part of this fun, low-key retelling of the Christmas story. We would love to add more sheep, shepherds, and angels. Please plan to join us this Sunday for practice and costuming. If you know you'll be joining us, please let Bryn know which part your child would like by emailing her at bhollenbeck@3crowns.org.

We also need a couple adults or teens to join our little angels as celestial guides. Wings optional! Please email Bryn if you're interested in helping in this way.

The Christmas Pageant will be Sunday, December 19, during the 10:00 am service (call time: 9:15 am). 

On the Fourth Sunday of Advent, we enter more deeply into the promises of the season with our annual Children's Pageant at the 10:00 am service. Following the service, we will gather for a festive fellowship hour in Hadley Hall. All are encouraged to join in this celebratory reception.

On December 19 at 5:00 pm, join us as we hear the story of Christmas told in scripture and song at our festive service of Lessons and Carols. Limited seating in the sanctuary; additional seating in Hadley Hall and Upper Parish Hall once sanctuary is filled. Masks and social distancing are required.

All Gables residents are invited to a monthly gathering of song, scripture, prayers and the sacrament of Holy Communion beginning on Wednesday, December 15, from 11:00 - 11:45 am. Sponsored by Parish of the Epiphany and led by the Rev. Bob Davidson, all residents are welcome to come to this monthly gathering in the Theatre. 

An opportunity to ponder, as Mary did, upon the mystery of our lives and our faith. Join us on Thursdays through January 6 from 1:00 – 2:15 pm in the Chapel. We will practice Lectio Divina with some well-loved scripture; followed by discussion of Kate Bowler's book, Everything Happens for a Reason: And Other Lies I've Loved. Contact  Sandy LaPerche to RSVP for headcount.

Volunteers are needed to deliver poinsettias following the 10:00 am Christmas Day service. If you can help, please pick up a plant and card at the conclusion of the service on December 25. The flowers are delivered to families who have lost a loved one, baptized a child, celebrated a marriage, or are home-bound. 

Advent Giving Tree (Real and Virtual)
Joyfully, our traditional Giving Trees are back this year. One is at the back of Hadley Hall and one in front of the church nave. The trees are covered with tags describing suggested donations to be made to organizations supported by Mission & Outreach. Please take tags from the trees and follow the instructions to make donations. In addition, the information on the tree tags appears below and you can simply make your donation, as described, without collecting a tag. Your prayerful support of these missions and the families they serve would be greatly appreciated during this Christmas giving season.

St. Stephen’s Youth Program
Purchase a $20 Target gift card to be given to a child at the St. Stephen’s Christmas Eve service. Put the gift card in a signed Christmas card with “St. Stephen’s” on the envelope and place in the gift card collection box in the Epiphany office by December 22.

St. Luke’s/San Lucas Food Pantry
Purchase toiletries (shampoo, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste) to be distributed at the Food Pantry. Put the toiletries under the Giving Tree in Hadley Hall by December 15.

Council of Social Concern, Woburn
Purchase gift cards (value $10 to $100) from Target, Walmart, Kohl’s, Gamestop, Amazon, Visa or Mastercard. Put the cards in the gift card collection box in the Epiphany Office. Cards returned before 12/3 will be donated to individual families to buy Christmas gifts. Later cards will go to the Children’s Center classrooms.

Blackstone School Library 
Order children’s books requested by the new Theater teacher. The books will be picked up by a Blackstone volunteer and delivered to the library.

El Hogar Ministries
Donate directly to El Hogar.

Haiti Nursing Foundation
Donate directly to the Haiti Nursing Foundation.

Kids4Peace
Donate directly to Kids4Peace Boston.

Quest Adventures  
Donate directly to Quest.

(Winchester) Network for Social Justice
Donate directly to the Network for Social Justice.