Self Talk | Pastor Clay

As Advent (the arrival of a notable person, thing or event) is celebrated on the Christian calendar, we will benefit greatly by pausing, reflecting and preparing our hearts and minds. That may seem a little mundane since we have done it so many times before. In this, THE “Hallmark” season we will attempt to journey back to a time when it was not considered an advent and when it became understood as THE ADVENT to very few!

When I was a boy, we got new neighbors who purchased the oldest house in the area. Over the years the home had received many makeovers which covered over the original design and décor. The new neighbors wanted to uncover and feature what it was originally. One day I was helping them strip off layers of paint and wallpaper in their living room. What we discovered were two historic paintings crafted on the walls shortly after it was built. They were amazing and told stories of what was important to the early occupant.

Together let us journey down the road of trying to peel back the layers of history, some beautiful and artistic and some destructive to the original intent, to discover the biblical views around the birth narratives of Jesus. Views, yes, views, and often we miss this because we attempt to merge the biblical account into one story. Each presentation in scripture surrounding the birth and early years of Jesus was told with integrity and purpose that gets lost in harmonization.

So, we have our work cut out for us! At times the journey will be jolting and may require adjustments to the nativity scenes we picture in our mind, and yet the biblical stories are deeper and richer than the layers of paint and wallpaper added to them over the years.

In addition to our Sunday morning worship experiences, we are adding three Wednesday evening meals with Advent exploration studies in our fellowship hall. Look for details in this newsletter and future communications from Mount Washington Baptist. I will be facilitating the Wednesday evening explorations.

My prayer for you this Advent season is you will get to know Jesus in deeper, richer, more life-changing ways than you ever have before!

Grace and Peace,
Pastor Clay