Dear Westwood Family,

This Christmas Eve, I send you an invitation and a prayer: May you experience the expansive love of God.

Christmas Eve worship is among my favorite traditions of the church; I especially love the tradition of passing candlelight from person to person through the gathering, as we sing Silent Night. I love watching the light change the room, as it spreads to each individual–it changes each person, and it transforms the whole space. There is great power in holding Christmas light together as a community.

Especially when there are so many things to be afraid of, overwhelmed with, and intimidated by, holding on to hope becomes a daring a courageous act–and it becomes a revolution of love when we do it together.

I hope you will join us for Christmas Eve worship tonight, at 5pm in the Sanctuary or at 11pm in the Loft. All are welcome. Both will be shared to our YouTube channel, too, and available either live or later. (If you watch online, I hope you’ll find a candle to light so you can join us in that tradition!)

I also want to offer you this prayer, from our advent devotional, written by Rev. Sarah (Are) Speed of A Sanctified Art:

In a fearful world,
may you look for God’s spirit.
May you reach for each other’s hands.
May you choose courage whenever you can.
And in all things, may you remember
that good news is louder than fear.
In the name of the one who calls,
the one who sends,
and the one who journeys with—
go in peace and
be not afraid.
Amen.

grace and peace,
Pastor Molly