Pastor’s Message – NOVEMBER 2001

„O Heiland, reiß die Himmel auf, herab, herab vom Himmel lauf,

reiss ab vom Himmel Tor und Tür, reiss ab, wo Schloß und Riegel für.“

„O Savior rend the heavens wide: come down, come down with mighty stride;
Unlock the gates, the doors break down; Unbar the way of heaven’s crown.”

(Friedrich Spee, 1622, after Isaiah 64,1: EG 7, LBW 38)

Advent is a special time. And it is a time which seems to be easily overlooked. Everybody is busy for Christmas. There are Christmas parties all around.

But Advent is not yet Christmas. It is a time of preparation. We are set on a way, like Mary and Joseph were set on their way to Bethlehem.

It is a time to become aware of our spiritual needs. Advent is a time of prayer and reflection, a time of yearning. The Advent Carols tell of longing, they are full of petitions: O Come! Wake, Awake! Prepare! They tell us of God’s “mighty stride”, and they dare to ask: “From our fears and sons release us”. Their language sometimes is in sharp contrast to all too sweet holiday songs and thoughts.

This is no easy way towards Christmas It is not a panorama elevator bringing us into Christmas wonderland. We are asked to accompany a pregnant woman and her companion on a difficult way. We remember the voice in the wilderness, John the Baptist, and we remember the great prophecies of old.

In one of my favorite songs Mary is said to pass through a thorny wood (“Maria durch ein Dornwald ging”), which then starts to blossom after seven years of dryness. Perhaps this Advent is a time of acknowledging the portions within us that are longing to be released. We will feel the thorns, but eventually they will start to blossom, when we encounter the heavenly Child.

“Fling wide the door”: Let us open the doors, not just on our advent calendars, but in our hearts and minds, let us become aware of any obstacles and locks, which have to be unlocked for Christmas, for letting Christ in – and let’s prepare with deliberate slowness, as we light the candles one after the other, until we eventually arrive at the manger and join our voices with those of the heavenly host, singing God’s glory again and proclaiming peace on earth - that peace which passeth all our understanding, but which is a reality stronger than everything else on earth.

Ich wünsche Ihnen allen eine besinnliche Adventszeit und ein gesegnetes Weihnachtsfest -  Have a blessed time of Advent and enjoy Christmas – Alexandra and I are loking forward to celebrating it with you for the first time!

Yours in Christ

Pastor Dr Holger Roggelin

Alexandra and I would like to thank each and everybody for all the wonderful signs of welcome we received – big ones (see picture, courtesy of Susie Ridenour) as well as small, but extremely helpful ones. They made us feel at home quickly with you and helped with the transatlantic transition!

THANK YOU !!!!!! DANKESCHOEN!!!!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!!