As We Wait
It is hard to believe that Christmas is just around the corner and then the New Year. December is always a busy month but definitely our favorite. This is a season where we go shop gifts, decorate our houses, send cards, plan parties and festivities, go to concerts and performances, and meet our friends and families. "It's the most wonderful time of the year" - the music swirls toward our ears from stores, on radio, and on TV.
In this season of waiting called Advent, I looked back at my calendar from January to now. Life did offer to me a wide array of emotions through ordinary and extraordinary events. I completed my last unit of Clinical Pastoral Education at Yale New Haven Hospital. My time at Yale New Haven Hospital as a chaplain taught me that often, healing comes in forms of empathy and connection. I began my chaplain and pastoral position at a nursing home for individuals with AIDS and HIV in New Haven. I had to say goodbye to my previous church family in Wallingford in June. I met a new wonderful church family here in Huntington in July. My move was in August. I went to Korea to visit my family and girlfriend in September. My family came to the States in October.
Looking back the year, I can confidently say that God has been with me in amazing ups and devastating downs of my life. I do especially feel God’s presence through your love and commitment to this church. Out of your busy schedule and precious resources, you chose to share yourself for the mission and ministry of our church, for the glory of God. So I give thanks to God for every one of you whom God called together to be one family.
In this season of waiting, I invite you to look back the year and count your blessings. Christmas is a special time of the year, and we love all the decorations, lights and candles, trees, holiday cheer, but I always think it’s important to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. That is God with us. Name blessings in your life one by one, see what God has done, and celebrate God’s presence that sustained you. When your family gathers, take the courage to invite your loved ones to a time of sharing and prayer of joy and thanksgiving and offer the prayer to God.
A simple but important prayer: God, thank you for this time when we can all be together. Thank you for this food on the table. Thank you for this joyful holiday. Thank you for making us one family in you. And above all, thank you for being with us. With joy we pray, Amen.
Yours in Christ,
Jacob Eun
