Celebrating the Season of Love

A letter to Our Readers

by Pastor Gina Johnson

As I am sitting here writing this, it's hard to believe Christmas is only 10 days away and 2026 is right around the corner. Wow, how time flies! Around my place kids are anticipating finals, ready for 2 weeks of freedom, and of course excited for the celebration of Christmas and NYE. As one of my daughters turned 20 and another one is graduating, I can't help but think about the many seasons of life. I often reflect on Solomon's wisdom that for everything there is a season. (Ecclesiastes) So what season is this for you???

For me this begins a time of closure and new beginnings. It is time to look back and give gratitude for all the beautiful moments that arrived in 2025, even when they didn't seem so beautiful in the initial moment. This is a time to see where I have grown and evaluate the goals I placed on myself. This can be an easy place to criticize harshly so instead I celebrate what went well and take notes on what didn't go so well to prepare me for a stronger new year. I'm not a New Year's resolution kind of girl; however there will be new goals with the new year. I will look at old routines and release what doesn't serve me. And I will make sure I am not making something just a routine check box that deserves much more. For instance quality time with those I love, investing in my spiritual growth, serving my congregation and most of all my relationship with God.

God will never be just a routine staple in our lives and thus our relationship should never become routine with Him. We should challenge ourselves to find new ways to connect with God and His people. We've been running around in the hustle and bustle preparing to celebrate the birth of Jesus. So what does that mean to you? How does your relationship with God show up in all your planning and navigating throughout your days? God offers us to draw close to Him and experience the beauty of his love in every moment of our days. It's up to us to accept that invitation and really experience the joy this month, this season, this life has to offer. As we move toward Christmas and into a new year, my hope is that we don’t let this season slip by as just another routine–that we pause long enough to notice where God has been present, where we’ve grown, and where we’re being invited to begin. God meets us in every season and our relationship with Him is meant to be intentional and real. May we step into what’s ahead with gratitude for what has been, openness for what’s unfolding, and a willingness to let God shape us beyond what is familiar or routine.