A Message from The Rev. Krista

Advent, the season of waiting and preparation for celebrating the birth of Christ, calls us to introspection and renewal. It is a time when we pause to ponder the meaning of God’s love made manifest in Jesus. Advent invites us to slow down, to quiet our hearts, and to create space for the light of hope, peace, joy and love to enter our lives.

Somehow the message that this is the season of quiet introspection, hope and peace didn’t reach the drivers in the chaotic and hostile grocery parking lot last week. I suppose ‘tis also the season of full calendars, long to-dos and shopping lists. It is as if this year’s hustle and bustle seems to be in competition for the season with the most bustle.

One would not need to look far to see that sometimes our world is marked by divisiveness, cruelty and injustice. The very essence of the Advent season challenges us to be agents of compassion and goodwill, countering the forces that seek to undermine the values of love and mercy. We are called to usher in the light if we are in the parking lot, grocery store line or in the workplace.

Jamil Zakai is a professor and the head of the Social Neuroscience Center at Stanford. His book The War for Kindness: Building Empathy In A Fractured World explores the intricate tapestry of empathy and the profound impact of kindness on the human spirit. This coming January, for our Sunday adult education classes, we will be looking at his work in combination with scripture as we look at empathy in the context of our faith.

Our collective journey into the heart of kindness aligns harmoniously with the Advent, Christmas and Epiphany season, where the themes of hope, love, joy and peace guide us toward a deeper understanding of our shared humanity.

I invite you to join me in eagerly anticipating The War for Kindness series, as it promises to be an enriching experience that will deepen our understanding of the power of empathy and compassion. Let us embark on this journey together, seeking to create a ripple effect of kindness that extends far beyond the holiday season.

Wishing you a joyful holiday season!