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As we enter this Advent season, my heart is full in more ways than one. Many of you know that these last weeks have been a long road of recovery from knee surgery—longer, slower, and far more painful than I expected. I’m not fully back to “normal” yet (whatever that means!), but I am slowly getting stronger each day. And through every step of this journey, this church family has shown me more love and grace than I could ever express.

The meals, the texts, the cards, the Starbucks surprises, the rides to physical therapy, the little gifts, the prayers—every single act of kindness has lifted my spirit. Even the “we miss you!” messages made me feel like I wasn’t walking this road alone. I truly felt held by you in a season when I needed it more than I realized. Thank you for being the hands and feet of Christ to your pastor. I am so grateful to be back among you—even while I’m still limping my way through recovery.

And maybe that’s why our Advent theme this year means so much to me.

This season, we’re entering the story through the simple, honest lens of A Charlie Brown Christmas. Every Sunday, Charlie Brown and his friends invite us to slow down, breathe a little deeper, and look past the noise to find what’s real. In so many ways, Charlie Brown feels what many of us feel—tired, overwhelmed, unsure, carrying more than we say out loud. He wants Christmas to feel meaningful again. I think many of us want that too.

As I’ve been healing, I’ve had my own “Charlie Brown moments”—days when I felt discouraged, tired, or frustrated with my slow progress. But just like Charlie Brown’s friends gathered around that little tree and made it something beautiful, this congregation gathered around me. You reminded me of the goodness that grows when a church shows up for one another.

And that’s the heart of Advent.
God shows up.
Not with grand fanfare, but in small, steady, grace-filled ways.
In quiet acts of kindness.
In unexpected strength.
In the light that refuses to go out.

My prayer for all of us this Advent is that we rediscover the simple, quiet truth at the center of the season:  Christ is coming, Christ is with us, and Christ’s love is enough.

May this season make room in our hearts for wonder, gratitude, healing, and joy. And may we look with fresh eyes—like Charlie Brown—at the places where God’s love is quietly growing among us.

I’m so glad to be back with you, even as I continue to heal. Thank you for walking with me. Thank you for being this kind of church. And thank you for reminding me—again and again—what Christmas is all about.  See you Sunday!

Peace, Pastor Tracy