A cookie seems like such a simple thing. And yet, receiving a cookie (or a tin of cookies!) from someone can be a source of immense gratitude. We know that someone is thinking of us and cares enough to provide us with a bit of sugary indulgence.
At the same time, cookies can get complicated. There are so many different cookies. And if someone offers me a plate of different kinds of cookies, there are bound to be some I like more than others.
I might feel obligated to eat whatever kind of cookie I get, just to be nice. Even if those cookies are overdone to the point of being blackened. (The exception, of course, is that we give ourselves permission to avoid the cookies with nuts if we have an allergy—or if we just don’t prefer nuts as a cookie ingredient.)
When someone gives me a gift, though, it feels unnecessarily impolite to say, “No thanks. I’m just going to throw these undercooked meringue bars in the trash because I prefer other kinds of cookie.” They might have gone to a lot of trouble to make those undercooked meringue bars. I could at least receive them graciously and say a simple, “Thanks for thinking of me.”
We’re serving up a few different kinds of opportunities to be together in the weeks ahead. Some of them are going to feel a little bit different than our usual worship experience, but they’ll hopefully be meaningful to the people who choose to be present.
On Christmas Eve, it’s probably going to be a lot like what you’re used to. Musical gifts from our talented young people (starting at 5:30PM). A nativity tableau, also presented by the young people of our community. Traditional carols that a lot of people know by heart. A homily that has something to do with Jesus. Silent Night by candlelight. And a time for appetizers and desserts in the Fellowship Hall afterward.
Christmas Day will be rather different. Gathering the Fellowship Hall in community with one another. Sharing our joys and concerns out loud (if we choose to). Connecting via Zoom rather than live-streaming to some other platform. It’ll be about connecting with each other more than anything else. And if people bring food to share, we’ll spend some time breaking bread together too.
On New Year’s Day, we’ll have a special ritual in the Sanctuary to kick off the new year. Purifying the space and priming it for our work as a community. Recognizing the beautiful worthiness at the center of our being. Burning away all the things that keep us from seeing that worthiness in ourselves and others.
Some of these services may not be your favorites. And that’s OK. You might not like any of the cookies on this particular plate. But all of these different services are being prepared for you with love, and served without expectation. Feel free to take a bite and see if there’s something in it for you.