Joy to the Midwinter

It is traditional for there to be some sort of book study/Bible study during Advent. I have done that most years and it is something that I enjoy. I love being able to reflect on how our faith impacts our living; how we seek to understand the ways in which each of us have our own perspective and how that influences our listening to scripture; how someone will notice a small piece of the text that I never would have noticed but that changes my understanding of the world.

This Advent I opted not to do that.

And so, I suppose I would like to take this moment to explain myself. For the next three Thursdays through Advent I have invited people to come to church and play games together. I am doing this in place of a book study, though the decision was a hard one to make. But Advent is about waiting, it is about preparing, it is about engaging. Engaging with scripture can help us to understand who God is and what that means to us, but engaging with one another can help us to understand who we are and what our loved ones mean to us.

This is a difficult season for many people. The holidays can be difficult for those who are facing a death in the family, or financial uncertainty, or family conflicts, or a whole host of other things. The holidays can be a difficult time, and I feel that there is a need for solemnity in recognizing that fact. I love to sing In the Bleak Midwinter. The quite and reflective times are essential to Advent. But I also know that my Christmas Eve always ends with me singing Joy to the World. This is the Christmas dichotomy. It feels incongruous for Joy to the World to be sung immediately after Silent Night, but the stillness of the first song heightens the ebullience of the second song.

That is why I want to play games through Advent.

There is a lot going on in the world and we need to engage with all of the pain that is out there. We need to make service and justice the center of our worship and faith. We need to remain steadfast and solemn in the face of inequity and hatred. We need to do these things. And we need to sing in joy as well.

To play games together during Advent is not to engage in frivolous escapism, but to remember the community that centers us and the joy that enlivens us. Community happens during times of joy and times of suffering, but to find joy together during the suffering is a testament to the power of relationships.

I hope you join me this Advent in playing some games together. I haven’t played euchre in far too long, and I am even willing to play an entire full game of Monopoly if you want to.

Peace,

Rev. Jeff Fox-Kline

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Come be part of our community this Advent season. Join us on Thursdays as we gather for simple moments of joy, connection, and play. Whether you’re a seasoned card-player or just looking for a space to breathe and belong, there’s a seat saved for you. All are welcome! Twelve Corners Presbyterian Church is located at 1200 S. Winton Road in the town of Brighton, NY. If you have any questions or would like to visit, we welcome you to call our office at 585-244-8585 or send an email through our secure contact form.